2024-10-26 04:18:00
Israel has carried out its expected retaliatory strike on Iran for weeks. The Israeli military announced early Saturday morning that it was “currently carrying out precision attacks on military targets in Iran in response to the Iranian regime’s ongoing attacks on Israel for months.” Iranian media reported explosions in the west of the capital Tehran. Israel also attacked Syria once again.
Iranian state television reported that air defenses had been activated. Iran’s air defense command said the attacks targeted military bases in Tehran, Khuzestan and Ilam provinces. The air defense successfully repelled the attacks and the damage was “limited”. There was initially no more detailed information.
Israel later declared its attacks ended. The Israeli military announced early Saturday morning that the mission had been accomplished. “Our aircraft returned home safely.” The retaliatory strike targeted missile production facilities and missile launch facilities in Iran. “We carried out targeted and precise attacks on military targets in Iran, thereby averting immediate threats to the State of Israel,” military spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a video. “If the Iranian regime makes the mistake of initiating a new round of escalation, we will be forced to respond,” he added.
The Israeli military said during the attacks that the Iranian regime and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking Israel since October 7 last year – on seven fronts – including direct strikes from Iranian soil. “Like every other sovereign country in the world, the State of Israel has the right and duty to respond.” The defensive and offensive capabilities are fully mobilized. “We will do whatever is necessary to defend the State of Israel and the Israeli people.”
The counterstrike followed the recent Iranian missile attack. On October 1, the Revolutionary Guards, Iran’s elite military force, fired around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel. The attack came after a series of targeted killings on Iranian territory by Israel targeting key players in Iran’s network of non-state allies. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have repeatedly emphasized in recent days that they want to respond decisively to an Israeli attack.
And now, according to the Tasnim news agency, the mouthpiece of the Revolutionary Guards, Iran once again reserves the right to respond to Israel’s attack. Iran is prepared for this, the agency reported, citing insiders. “There is no doubt that Israel will face an appropriate response to its actions,” an insider was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, the state news agency IRNA reported, citing emergency service circles, that no victims were reported in Tehran. The internet in the capital was severely throttled. According to state media, Iran completely closed its airspace. All flights have been canceled, IRNA reported, citing a spokesman for the civil aviation authority.
After the Israeli retaliatory strike began, there was another rocket alarm in northern Israel. The Israeli army said warning sirens were sounding in the coastal town of Nahariya and surrounding areas. There were initially no reports of possible victims. The Lebanese Hezbollah militia, allied with Iran, has been shelling Israel since the Gaza war began a year ago. Israel responded with massive air strikes and now also a ground offensive. Two men were injured by rocket debris in Nahariya on Thursday.
According to media reports, the Israeli cabinet authorized the retaliatory strike on Iran shortly before the attack. A corresponding telephone conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant took place on Friday evening, the Haaretz newspaper reported. It was said that ministers had been informed in recent days about the scope of the apparent attack plan. Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi was directing the attack on Iran from the Israeli Air Force’s underground command center at military headquarters in Tel Aviv, along with Air Force Commander Tomer Bar, the Israeli army said.
The attack on Iran began during the Jewish day of rest, Sabbath. The high Jewish holidays had previously ended on Thursday evening.
According to a White House spokesman, the United States was aware of Israel’s actions but was not involved in the operation. Washington described Israel’s attacks on targets in Iran as “self-defense maneuvers.” The “targeted attacks on military targets” are also a response to the Iranian missile attack on Israel on October 1st, said National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett on Friday (local time) in Washington. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned on Wednesday that Israel’s retaliatory measures should not lead to further escalation in the Middle East.
According to US media reports, the Israeli attacks on Iran do not target Iranian nuclear facilities or oil fields. The attack was actually focused on military targets, ABC and NBC reported. In recent weeks, the USA had urged Israel not to attack Iranian oil and nuclear facilities. According to the New York Times, White House and Pentagon officials had consulted closely with Israel in recent days about the scope and nature of targets Israel could attack in Iran.
According to the Syrian state news agency SANA, Israel also shelled military facilities in central and southern Syria on Saturday night. The rockets came from the direction of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and Lebanon and some of them could have been intercepted, the agency reported. According to SANA, there had previously been explosions near the capital Damascus. The Syrian regime is allied with Israel’s arch-enemy Iran.
The USA continued to pledge its support to Israel. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reaffirmed Israel’s right to self-defense and the United States’ “iron-clad commitment” to Israel’s security in a phone call with his Israeli counterpart Gallant, the Pentagon said. The minister emphasized that the US has increased its armed forces to protect US personnel, Israel and partners in the region in the face of the threat from Iran and Iran-backed terrorist organizations. The US is determined to “prevent any actor from exploiting tensions or expanding the conflict in the region.”
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Interview with Dr. Sara Cohen, Middle East Affairs Expert
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Cohen. Israel has just launched retaliatory strikes against military targets in Iran. What led to this escalation in tensions?
Dr. Cohen: Thank you for having me. The recent escalation is deeply rooted in a prolonged cycle of hostilities. Since October 7 of last year, Israel has faced continuous rocket attacks from Iran and its proxies. These strikes, particularly the Iranian missile attack on October 1, were perceived as an existential threat by Israel, prompting this significant military response.
Editor: The Israeli military has stated that the strikes targeted missile production and launch facilities. How critical are these targets in the context of regional security?
Dr. Cohen: These facilities are crucial. They not only contribute to Iran’s missile capabilities but also support its proxies across the region, including Hezbollah. Disabling these sites can significantly limit Iran’s ability to threaten Israel, at least in the short term. However, Iran’s technological capabilities allow it to rebuild these facilities eventually.
Editor: Iran’s response has been characterized as one of retaliation, with promises of appropriate responses. How do you see the dynamics unfolding between Iran and Israel moving forward?
Dr. Cohen: It’s a dangerous game of tit-for-tat. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have made it clear they intend to respond, and they have various means at their disposal, including asymmetric warfare tactics. This could lead to further escalations and possibly draw in other regional players or allies like Hezbollah.
Editor: The U.S. has described Israel’s actions as “self-defense maneuvers.” What role does the U.S. play in this ongoing tension?
Dr. Cohen: The United States maintains a strategic partnership with Israel and often supports its right to self-defense, particularly against perceived threats from Iran. While Washington has not been directly involved in these attacks, its diplomatic and military backing gives Israel the confidence to act decisively. However, it also places pressure on the U.S. to manage the broader implications of these actions on regional stability.
Editor: With reports of limited damage in Iran and no casualties reported, how effective do you think this strike has been in achieving Israel’s objectives?
Dr. Cohen: It’s early to assess the ultimate effectiveness of the strike. While the immediate goals might have been met—namely, demonstrating Israel’s capability and resolve—long-term objectives, such as deterring Iranian aggression, will depend on the subsequent responses from Iran. Military action can often lead to retaliation, creating a cycle of violence that complicates the situation further.
Editor: with the internet throttled in Tehran and airspace closed, what does this suggest about Iran’s current state and the potential for internal unrest?
Dr. Cohen: Such measures indicate a heightened state of alert and the Iranian government’s desire to control the narrative following an attack. Historically, significant military actions have led to domestic unrest in Iran, especially if the population feels the government has failed to adequately protect them. The regime will likely face challenges in maintaining internal stability if it does not manage public perception and the fallout effectively.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Cohen, for providing your insights on this complex situation. It’s a topic worth keeping an eye on as the region continues to grapple with these intense military escalations.
Dr. Cohen: My pleasure. Thank you for the discussion.
Dr. Cohen: While initial reports suggest limited damage, it’s important to assess the effectiveness in terms of deterrence. Israel’s intent is not just to cause physical damage but to send a clear signal to Iran about the consequences of its aggression. If the strikes achieve a temporary reduction in hostilities or inhibit future attacks, one could argue they have met some of their objectives. However, the long-term efficacy remains uncertain, particularly given Iran’s resilience and capacity for retaliation.
Editor: With the heightened military activity and the potential for broader conflict, what are the implications for civilians in the region?
Dr. Cohen: Civilian populations in both Israel and Iran are at risk. In Israel, the ongoing threat of missile strikes from Hezbollah and other Iranian proxies puts their safety in jeopardy. Likewise, Iranian civilian areas, especially near military targets, could experience repercussions from further Israeli strikes or retaliatory actions by Iran. The broader implications could further destabilize the region, leading to increased displacement and suffering among innocent populations.
Editor: Thank you for your insights, Dr. Cohen. It seems we are in a critical moment with many uncertainties ahead.
Dr. Cohen: Thank you for having me. Indeed, the situation is fluid, and we must remain vigilant as events unfold.