Israel launches retaliatory attack against Iran

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Israel launched a retaliatory attack against Iran early Saturday., the latest in an exchange of attacks as tensions between the two countries rise.

It was not immediately clear what the goals were. Iranian state media reported the sound of explosions around Iran’s capital, Tehran, without immediately giving further details.

An Israeli military statement said Israel was “carrying out precise strikes against military targets in Iran” and “has the right and duty to respond.”

“The Iranian regime and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking Israel since October 7 – on seven fronts – including direct attacks from Iranian soil,” the statement read. He did not give further details about the objectives.

According to FOX News, which also confirmed the attack, the attacks were intended to “send a message of deterrence.”

“Israel has begun its attack on Iran, Fox News can confirm,” FOX News correspondent Trey Yingst said on Twitter. “I’m told the attacks are meant to send a message of deterrence. There was communication with the Americans before the attacks over the past few days.”

Iranian state television later identified that some of the explosions came from air defense systems, without offering further details.

A Tehran resident told The Associated Press that at least seven explosions were heard and shook the surrounding area. The resident spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation.

Meanwhile, state media in Syria described its air defenses as also targeting “hostile targets” there.

The attack came just as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned to the United States after a tour of the Middle East, where he and other US officials had warned Israel to offer a response that would not further escalate the conflict in the region. region and exclude nuclear energy. sites in Iran.

White House National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said in a statement that “we understand that Israel is carrying out targeted strikes against military targets in Iran” and referred reporters to the Israeli government for more details about its operation.

International flights began being diverted around western Iran as news of the attacks broke, flight tracking data showed.

Meanwhile, state media in Syria described its air defenses as also targeting “hostile targets” there.

A military response from Israel was widely expected after Iran fired approximately 180 missiles at Israel on October 1.

Here’s what you should know about the ongoing attacks between the two countries:

Why do Israel and Iran attack each other?

Tensions are rising between Israel and Iran as the war in Gaza drags on. Israel is now at war with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, both militant groups backed by Iran.

Israel has been intensifying its campaign against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, which borders northern Israel, with waves of intense airstrikes across Lebanon and a ground invasion on the border.

FILE – Skyline of northern Tehran.

Hezbollah has also been launching deadly drone attacks against Israel, which are harder to detect than rockets or missiles. Hezbollah’s drone program receives significant help from Iran, according to The Associated Press.

On October 1, 2024, Iran launched a second direct attack against Israel in retaliation, it said, for a series of attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Iran launched another direct attack on Israel in April, but few of its projectiles hit their targets. Many were shot down by a US-led coalition, while others apparently failed to launch or crashed in flight.

Iran has said it will respond to any Israeli attack.

How is the United States involved?

Israel’s attack on Iran comes just days after the Pentagon announced it would send more defense aid to Israel.

On October 13, the United States said it would send an air defense missile system known as the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery to Israel, along with more American troops to operate it. The system is intended to intercept various missile threats.

Iran has warned Washington to keep US military forces out of Israel, and further escalation between Israel and Iran risks further drawing in the United States.

READ MORE: US sends air defense missile system and more troops to Israel

Israel’s war in Gaza

Israel’s offensive in Gaza has killed more than 42,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities, who do not say how many were combatants but say women and children account for more than half of the deaths.

Israel’s war against Hamas has destroyed large areas of Gaza and displaced around 90% of its population of 2.3 million people.

RELATED: Hamas attack on Israel: hostage status a year later

Hamas is still believed to maintain 100 Israeli captives inside Gaza since its attack on October 7, 2023. A third of the hostages are believed to be dead.