Israel Targets Iranian Military Sites; Tehran Reports ‘Limited Damage’

Israel Targets Iranian Military Site

Israel targets Iranian military sites and has a reason for it. Israel claimed to be retaliating for the missile strike earlier this month by Tehran. 

Israel targets Iranian military sites, which happened this morning for which Israel explained its reasons. The latest clash has escalated the political conflict between the two regions now, along with Palestine and Lebanon. 

Israel had even warned Iran after throwing missiles not to attack back. It was hours after the Israeli military completed its objectives for the number of strikes over Iran. 

A semi-official news source in Iran revealed that a “proportional reaction” from Tehran might be stirring up against Israel’s move. 

Revelations about how Israel targets Iranian military sites 

Multiple explosions were reported in Iran several hours early before dawn, around 2 am. The nearby military bases and people in the capital became alert after the violent sounds of the attacks. 

 
 
 
 
 
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Just before dawn, already three rounds of explosions were completed coming from Israel. Apparently, the operation was over. 

Iran ensured that “limited damage” to some of its military sites has been witnessed as Iran had successfully launched a counter-attack with the help of its air defence system. The military sites in Tehran included Khuzestan and Ilam. 

Videos released by Iran showed how its air defences were constantly fighting the Israeli attacks. The incoming projectiles were all over Tehran and Iran did not know which sites were under attack at that moment. 

Increased risk of Middle East war 

The Middle East was in fear for Israel’s requital after the massive outrage by Iran on 1 October with a ballistic-missile barrage. Around 200 missiles were sent towards Israel resulting in the killing of one person in the Israel-occupied West Bank. 

The tensions between Israel and Iran had intensified since the start of the war when Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023. Lebanon-based Hezbollah fighter group has always been a staunch supporter of Hamas, which is also backed by Iran. 

Last month has shown savage instances where Israel has been intensifying its assaults on Hezbollah since last month. The growing possibility of a regional conflict between the US and Iran is a bigger worry. 

The savageness includes airstrikes on Beirut, the Lebanese capital and a full-fledged ground operation, similar to the ones in the one-year-old Gaza war. 

The Israeli military responded in its statements,

“In response to months of continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against the State of Israel – right now the Israel Defence Forces is conducting precise strikes on military targets in Iran”. 

Israel said it had an “obligation to respond” 

The Israeli military revealed that its planes had returned home safely after it struck Iranian military sites including missile manufacturing facilities and surface-to-air missile arrays. 

The Israeli military further added,

“If the regime in Iran were to make the mistake of beginning a new round of escalation, we will be obligated to respond”. 

One of the US officials tried to handle the matter by reporting that Iranian military site targets did not include the energy infrastructure or nuclear facilities of the said country. 

US’s take on the matter 

Joe Biden, the President of the United States, warned that Israel’s main supplier of arms and its supporter, Washington would not support such an endeavour. The attack on Tehran’s nuclear sites was not an advancement made by the US. 

The President said that Israel should have thought of the alternatives like damaging Iran’s oil fields rather than Iranian military sites

However, the US has still chosen to stay on Israel’s side of Iran and chooses to attack as a retribution. Still, a senior Biden official responded that they all want both sides to abstain from “direct exchange of fire between the two countries”. 

The US admitted that Israel had informed its strongest ally about the attack beforehand but it was not involved in any way. 

On the possibility of escalating conflicts in the Middle East, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that the countries should look for a peace deal rather than one revenge after the other. 

Iran’s reaction 

Iran has already warned Israel on several instances about any attack. As it said Iran has all the rights, just like Israel when it attacked Lebanon and Gaza, it would respond to any form of aggression. 

Iran further stated that Israel “will face a proportional reaction for any action it takes” and that Israel should not continue to believe that Iran would not respond forcefully. 

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps bases were under attack but not many sites were damaged. Iran declared that it would resume flights from 9 am this morning after a brief halt followed by Israel’s attack. 

Israeli PM and Defence Minister are concerned 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and their defence minister, Yoav Gallant have worked closely with their security officials for the purpose of following up the attack, command and control in Tel Aviv. 

israeli defence minister
Israeli Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant (Source: New Vision)

They have even requested US Defence Secretary Llyod Austin for an enhanced force posture. The Pentagon said that Israel wants its partners across its region in times of assistance for which Mr Austin has emphasised the support. 

Israel’s attack on Syria 

On the other hand, there is news about Israel attacking Syrian central and southern parts as well. Some airstrikes were reported on the said parts of Syria which Israel has not confirmed yet. 

Saudi Arabia condemns the attacks 

Saudi Arabia condemned the Israeli attack on Iranian military sites which it affirmed as a “violation of its sovereignty” and an open negation of international laws. The country pleaded for all the parties involved to exercise maximum restraint and urged the international peace communities to take action for a serious peace deal as soon as possible. 

Saudi Arabia made some efforts to convince Israel to put a halt to the attacks along with persuading the United States to do its best in cooling matters down in both regions. 

The United States is asked about reconsidering its decisions to aid its closest ally, Israel, with aid in defence of Tehran plans another counter-attack for which Mr Biden has assured US military’s THAAD anti-missile defence for Israel. It would include 100 US soldiers for Israel’s support.

FAQs

1. Why did Israel target Iranian military sites?
Israel claims the strikes were in retaliation for a recent missile attack from Tehran, which reportedly targeted Israel. The Israeli military cited “months of continuous attacks” as justification for its strikes on Iranian military installations, including missile manufacturing sites.

2. What was Iran’s response to the Israeli attack?
Iran responded with its air defense systems to mitigate damage and announced a possible “proportional reaction.” Iran also warned that it reserved the right to retaliate for any aggression, indicating the potential for escalating conflict.

3. How is the United States involved in the conflict?
While the U.S. is a close ally of Israel, it clarified that it was not involved in the planning or execution of these strikes. President Joe Biden expressed that Washington would not support direct attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites and instead suggested Israel should consider alternatives. The U.S. has supported Israel’s right to defend itself and has provided missile defense resources.

4. What impact has this conflict had on the Middle East region?
The tension between Israel and Iran, exacerbated by recent escalations with Hamas and Hezbollah, has led to fears of a broader regional conflict. This includes heightened military activities in Lebanon and Syria, with reports of Israeli airstrikes in these areas.

5. How did other countries react to Israel’s actions?
Saudi Arabia condemned Israel’s strikes on Iranian military sites, labelling it a violation of sovereignty and international law. Saudi officials urged all involved parties to practice restraint and called on international peace efforts to de-escalate the conflict.

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