The Israeli airstrikes against Iran that were carried out during the night ended at around six o’clock in the morning. Iran says it has the right to retaliate against the nighttime strikes. The United States urges the parties to exercise restraint.
Mikko Leppänen,
Sari Taussi
13:25•Updated 18:54
Early on Saturday, Israel carried out airstrikes on several military targets in Iran.
According to Iran, the attacks were carried out on military targets in different parts of Iran. Also according to Israel, the targets were military.
Israel says its attack was in response to Iran’s missile attack on Israel in early October, as well as longer Iranian attacks.
What were the blows like?
Israel started its attack around 3:30 in the morning on Saturday. The armed forces announced at six in the morning that the attack had been completed.
According to Israel, the attacks targeted, among other things, Iran’s missile production facilities, surface-to-air missile systems and anti-aircraft defense.
According to the armed forces, the planes involved in the attacks returned safely to Israel.
According to Iran, attacks were carried out on military targets in Tehran and in the provinces of Khuzestan and Ilam. According to media reports, explosions were also heard in Isfahan, Mashhad and Kurdistan Province.
What has Iran said about the effects of the attacks?
Iran announced that four of its soldiers were killed in the strikes.
Iran said on Saturday morning that the country’s air defenses successfully repelled the Israeli attacks, but some targets suffered “limited damage”.
According to Iran, the targets of the Israeli attacks were military bases in three provinces, including the Tehran region.
How has the United States reacted?
Israel informed its ally the United States in advance about the attacks. The US says it was not involved in the attack.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has discussed with his Israeli counterpart by Yoav Gallant with the situation, said the US Department of Defense Pentagon.
According to a Pentagon statement, Austin said the United States is determined to “prevent any actor from exploiting tensions or expanding conflict in the region.”
A US administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters that the Israeli strikes appear to have been targeted and posed little danger to civilians.
According to an American official, this airstrike should lead to the end of direct strikes between Israel and Iran.
There is no indication that the Israeli strikes targeted Iran’s oil industry or nuclear facilities. An attack on these targets would have meant a more serious escalation.
What can follow from Israel’s attacks?
The danger is that the conflict between Israel and Iran will deepen even more.
Tensions have already increased in the Middle East after the Iranian-backed extremist organization Hamas launched a large-scale terrorist attack on Israel in October last year and Israel started a war against Hamas in Gaza.
Israel is also at war with the Iranian-backed Lebanese extremist organization Hezbollah.
Israel’s armed forces warned Iran on Saturday morning that Iran will have to pay a heavy price if it starts a new round of escalation in response to an Israeli missile strike.
The United States has also warned Iran of sanctions if it retaliates against Israel again.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that Iran has the right and obligation to defend itself against external acts of aggression.
The ministry called Israel’s attack a violation of international law. At the same time, the Foreign Ministry said that Tehran recognizes its responsibility towards peace and security in the region.
Now, how Iran decides to act next has a lot to do with the escalation of the situation.
Sources: AFP, AP, Reuters, STT
Updated on 26.10. at 15:23 information on the targets of the attacks and a map.
Updated on 26.10. at 18:54 headlines and the number of victims of the attacks.