Israel carried out a series of “precise and targeted” airstrikes on Iranian military installations early Saturday, responding to an earlier missile barrage launched by Tehran. This latest escalation has raised fresh concerns of further conflict between the two nations, although preliminary reports suggest the strikes were more restrained than some analysts feared.
The strikes began at approximately 2:15 a.m. local time in Iran, with explosions reported near the capital, Tehran, according to local media. Videos circulating online captured scenes of projectiles and explosions lighting up the sky, verified by BBC sources. Within minutes, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed they had targeted “military sites” across Iran, aiming to neutralize threats without broadening the confrontation.
In a statement, the White House classified the strikes as an “exercise of self-defense,” stressing that the U.S. had coordinated with Israel to ensure the operation was “targeted and proportional.” Senior U.S. officials noted that the Biden administration specifically urged Israel to avoid any strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities or oil infrastructure to prevent wider fallout.
According to IDF reports, the airstrikes targeted approximately 20 Iranian military sites, including missile production facilities and air defense systems. While the Iranian military confirmed that two soldiers had died during the operation, the impact appears localized. The Iranian government announced that their air defenses intercepted several projectiles, though some areas in Tehran and the provinces of Khuzestan and Ilam sustained “limited damage.”
Following the operation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant monitored the mission from IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv. In a later statement, the IDF conveyed its intent to avoid further escalation, attributing ongoing hostilities to Iran’s activities. “We are focused on our objectives in Gaza and Lebanon. It is Iran that continues to push for a wider regional escalation,” the statement read.
A recent Axios report revealed that Israel sent a preliminary notice to Iran about the strikes, signaling an intent to de-escalate after this exchange. A senior U.S. official later indicated that the U.S. hopes this marks the conclusion of direct hostilities.
The diplomatic response has been mixed. The U.S. National Security Council highlighted Israel’s efforts to focus on military targets, contrasting this with Iran’s prior strikes aimed at populous areas in Israel. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed support for Israel’s right to self-defense, but he urged both nations to exercise restraint. Egypt and Saudi Arabia voiced concerns, warning that escalating violence could destabilize the region.
Iran, meanwhile, condemned the strikes, calling them a violation of international law. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said it “recognizes its responsibilities towards regional peace and security” but asserted its “entitlement to defend itself.”
Despite the unfolding tensions, life in Iran appears relatively undisturbed. Iranian media showed Tehran’s bustling streets and markets, and flights resumed in Iranian airspace after a brief closure. However, authorities have prohibited the distribution of footage or news related to the attacks on platforms they deem “Israel-affiliated,” underscoring efforts to control information domestically.
As the situation develops, the international community is watching closely, weighing whether this restrained exchange could hold or if more severe repercussions are forthcoming.
