According to the Iranian army, two soldiers were killed after Israeli air strikes targeted military bases in Iran after Israel said it had “completed” its operations, warning against any potential retaliation.
The strikes occurred at just after 2 a.m. local time on Saturday, what Israel described as months of attacks from “Iran and its proxies” in the region. The Israeli military claimed that it had “accomplished its objectives” with the strikes.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded that the country had “the right and a duty to defend itself from external aggressive acts.” The headquarters of Iran’s air defense said that installations in the cities of Ilam, Khuzestan, and Tehran were struck. Still, attacks were “successfully countered” with minor damages only.
Iran warned it is ready for any Israeli aggression and that, in response, this conflict would have its ratio. The strikes reportedly had targeted several Iran air-defense systems, missile bases, as well as drone facilities. However, they seem to be concentrated chiefly in Tehran.
Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said Iran and its proxies have not stopped their assaults on Israel since October 7, including direct attacks from Iranian territory, which emboldened Israel’s right to retaliate.
The United States called for Iran to stop its attacks as an initial step to loosen the lethal cycle of violence as National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said the U.S. strives to “speed up diplomatic efforts in the region.”
It comes after a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, with significant casualties and at least 42,847 deaths as part of its ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has raised concerns over a wider regional conflict involving Iran and the U.S.
