Israel announced the launch of “precise strikes” on military targets in Iran on Saturday in an operation now believed to be over, as Iranian state media reported several explosions around the capital and other parts of the country.
“In response to months of continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against the State of Israel — right now the Israel Defense Forces (Israeli military) is conducting precise strikes on military targets in Iran,” the military said in a statement.
Israel had vowed, following Iran’s 1 October missile attack in retaliation for Israel striking Tehran in July, to hit back.
“Our defensive and offensive capabilities are fully mobilised,” the Israeli military said in a statement.
Military spokesman Daniel Hagari in a separate statement called on the people to be “alert and vigilant”.
Iranian state television said Saturday “strong explosions” were heard around the capital, though it did not specify the cause of the blasts. Explosions were also reportedly heard around other parts of the country, including Shiraz city.
“Minutes ago, the sound of strong explosions were heard from around Tehran, the source of these sounds is not yet clear,” a state TV presenter said.
An AFP reporter also heard the explosions.
Iranian media said no fire or explosions had been reported at a main oil refinery near Tehran.
Three waves of attacks
The Israeli public broadcaster said on Saturday the operation against Iran was over after three waves of strikes, though this has yet to be confirmed.
US. and Israeli officials confirmed that three waves of strikes on Iran took place, an Axios reporter posted on X early on Saturday, adding that the second and third waves focused on missile and drone bases and production sites.
There has been no reports or confirmation of damage or casualties, but Iran did say it reserves the right to retaliate to the Israeli “aggression”.
“There is no doubt that Israel will face a proportional reaction for any action it takes,” the semi-official state news agency Tasnim quoted Iranian sources as saying.
Israel’s strikes on Iran did not include attacking Iranian nuclear facilities or oil fields, and focused on military targets, NBC News and ABC News reported late on Friday, citing an Israeli official.
The United States said strikes by its ally Israel on military targets in Iran are “an exercise of self-defence” following the attack earlier this month, without mentioning Israel began the escalation by assassinating Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July.
US National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said the “targeted strikes on military targets” are “an exercise of self-defence and in response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack against Israel on October 1.”
