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A general view of Tehran after several explosions were
heard, in Tehran, Iran, on October 26, 2024
Israel said on Saturday it had struck military targets
inside Iran in a wave of retaliatory attacks, targeting Iranian missile
manufacturing sites in what appeared to be a highly calculated response that
avoided critical energy infrastructure, such as nuclear facilities.
The strikes have long been expected, and come as Israel
mounts a major operation in northern Gaza and against the Iran-backed militant
group Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Here’s what we know:
Waves of strikes: Several explosions were heard west of
Tehran around 2:15 a.m. local time (7 p.m. ET Friday), according to Iran’s
state news agency. The initial strikes were closely followed by a second wave,
as video posted to social media by Tehran residents showed tracer fire and
explosions illuminating the Iranian capital’s sky as dawn neared. A third and
final wave then followed.
Strikes “concluded”: Israel says the attack is now over. “We
conducted targeted and precise strikes on military targets in Iran – thwarting
immediate threats to the State of Israel,” the Israeli military said in a
statement. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari warned that if Iran were to begin “a new
round of escalation,” Israel will be “obligated to respond.” Israeli opposition
leader Yair Lapid said Israel “could and should have exacted a much heavier price
from Iran.”
Iran “entitled” to defend itself: Following the strikes,
Iran’s foreign ministry said it “considers itself entitled and obligated to
defend itself.” The ministry condemned Israel’s attacks in a statement, calling
the action a “clear violation” of international law.
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