SRINAGAR: In a military action early Saturday, Israel launched a series of coordinated airstrikes on multiple Iranian military facilities, intensifying an already volatile situation across the Middle East. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed that dozens of Israeli fighter jets, flying nearly 1,000 miles from Israeli territory, conducted the pre-dawn attacks on Tehran and other locations, citing Iran’s recent missile strikes against Israel as the catalyst. This operation, officially named Days of Repentance, follows a protracted shadow war between the two nations that has recently erupted into open hostilities.
The strikes, which Israeli officials describe as “targeted and precise,” aimed at military manufacturing sites, surface-to-air missile arrays, and ballistic missile production facilities in Tehran, Khuzestan, and Ilam provinces.
Global news gatherer Reuters reported that the assault was carried out in three waves, each targeting strategic assets central to Iran’s military capabilities. The IDF claimed success in neutralising key threats and declared the mission complete just before sunrise. “Our planes have safely returned home,” the IDF stated, underscoring the operation’s efficacy in response to Iran’s persistent attacks on Israeli territories.
“I can now confirm that we have concluded the Israeli response to Iran’s attacks against Israel. We conducted targeted and precise strikes on military targets in Iran — thwarting immediate threats to the State of Israel.”
Watch IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari talk about the… pic.twitter.com/1OOss3etpV
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 26, 2024
Iranian state media quickly reported multiple explosions in Tehran and surrounding military installations. Video footage shared on Iranian social media showed flashes of tracer fire and anti-air defences intercepting several projectiles, although Iranian authorities acknowledged limited damage in some areas.
According to the semi-official Tasnim news agency, Iranian air defences reportedly intercepted and countered much of the assault, minimising impact to critical sites, including Revolutionary Guard Corps bases. Iranian officials pledged a “proportional reaction” to Israel’s attack, highlighting the potential for further escalation in the region.
Israel’s military action marks a dramatic escalation in the conflict that has evolved since October 1, when Iran launched a barrage of approximately 200 missiles at Israel, resulting in one fatality in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israeli sources contend that this October missile assault followed Israel’s assassination of a senior Hezbollah commander, Hassan Nasrallah, in Lebanon, according to The Times.
Since then, Israel has grappled with the resurgence of attacks from Iran-aligned groups, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, both backed by Tehran. In an ongoing offensive, Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 88 Palestinians in Gaza and 41 Lebanese fighters since Friday, reported Al Jazeera.
The strikes on Iran come amidst heightened US diplomatic and military efforts to manage the escalating violence. President Joe Biden, who had previously cautioned Israel against targeting Iran’s nuclear sites, was briefed in advance about the operation. US officials confirmed that while Washington was not directly involved in the strikes, it supported Israel’s right to defend itself.
“If Iran chooses to respond once again, we will be ready, and there will be consequences for Iran,” senior US administration officials told the BBC, suggesting potential support for Israel should the conflict spiral further. In a show of support, the US recently deployed THAAD anti-missile defences and over 100 US personnel to bolster Israel’s military defences.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant directed the operation from a secure command centre in Tel Aviv, where they monitored live feeds of the airstrikes. Axios reported that Gallant also discussed the strikes with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin shortly after the first wave began, during which Austin reiterated Washington’s commitment to defend Israel. The IDF stated that the offensive targeted Iranian facilities responsible for producing the missiles used in attacks on Israel over the past year. According to the IDF, these strikes successfully neutralised missile manufacturing sites, preventing further threats to Israeli citizens and military assets.
Responses from Iran have been swift, with government spokespeople asserting that Iran’s air defence systems mitigated significant damage. However, they confirmed disruptions, including the temporary suspension of air traffic in and out of Tehran. The BBC reported that flights resumed at 9 am. local time. Meanwhile, Iraq, Iran’s neighbour, briefly suspended its own flights in anticipation of spillover effects but resumed service later that day. Two soldiers were killed in the Israeli attacks on Iran this morning, according to a statement from the Iranian army. Earlier, the military said the Israeli strikes had caused “limited damage”.
The international community has reacted with concern. Saudi Arabia condemned Israel’s airstrikes as a “violation of sovereignty” and urged restraint, cautioning against actions that could further destabilise the region. British Prime Minister Kier Starmer voiced support for Israel’s right to self-defence but warned Iran against retaliation, aligning with US appeals for de-escalation. “We are clear that Iran should not respond. We continue to work closely with allies to de-escalate tensions across the region,” Starmer stated at a press conference in Samoa.
In light of the recent strikes, analysts warn of the heightened risk of an all-out regional conflict. Israel’s decision to limit targets to military sites, excluding Iran’s nuclear and oil facilities, may reduce the likelihood of full-scale war, according to The New York Times. Yet Iran’s vow of retaliation suggests the conflict may continue to smoulder, with potential flare-ups involving Hezbollah and Hamas, Iran-aligned groups that have intensified their offensives since October 7. This multi-front conflict has heightened fears of direct involvement from US forces, particularly as America approaches its presidential elections in just two weeks.
Map of Israeli attack on Iran tonight
Fars News, affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, reported multiple large explosions rocked Tehran. Other Iranian media sites reported that the explosions were near or at Imam Khomeini international airport.
(via YOGB_2/reddit) pic.twitter.com/oKIpi3RDKn— OnlMaps (@onlmaps) October 26, 2024
Israel’s ongoing operations across Gaza, Lebanon, and now Iranian territory reflect a shifting strategy as the shadow conflict between Israel and Iran reaches new heights. With both nations maintaining alliances with powerful global actors, the risk of a wider conflict remains. For now, Israel has asserted its position while the US seeks to prevent further escalation, with all eyes on Tehran’s next move.
