Israel has attacked Iran, killing four Iranian soldiers. It also launched simultaneous strikes on Iran and Syria, ostensibly targeting Iran-linked interests. Israel says the campaign early on Saturday targeted military sites and was a response to attacks from ”Iran and its proxies”. Iran says it will continue defending against Israeli attacks on Gaza, Lebanon, and Iranian officials.
What happened in Israel Strikes Iran and when?
- On Friday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoa Gallant reportedly approved attack plans during a call with cabinet ministers. Israeli media said Israel sent a warning to Iran on Friday, cautioning against retaliation.
- Israel launched its first wave of attacks on Tehran after 2am on Saturday. Three hours later, a second wave hit Tehran and the Provinces of Ilam and Khuzestan, Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar reported from Tehran. About 6am Israel said it had ”completed” the strikes and achieved its objectives.
- An Israeli army spokesperson said operation ”Dyas of Reckoning” had attacked Iran’s “means of producing missiles” as well as missile systems and other air defense capabilities.
- Four men serving in the Iran’s military air defense were killed by the attacks. State-run IRNA news agency announced Saturday night. It offered no details on where the four men were stationed in the country. Flights across Iran resumed at 9am after being briefly suspended, Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization announced.
- Israel conducted airstrikes on military sites in central and southern Syria early Saturday, reported. Syrian state news agency SANA, though Israel hasn’t confirmed this. Explosion were also reported in Basra, Iraq, while there was a temporary closure of Iraqi airspace. Officials later said the blasts happened across the border in Iran.
Israel had been warning of an attack “in response to strikes by Iran and its proxies”. In a recorded statement released during the attack, Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said: “The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking Israel since October 7. He said Israel “has the right and the duty to respond”.
