Israel launches retaliatory strikes against Iran

Israel began launching retaliatory strikes against Iran late Friday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed, in direct response to Iran’s attack on Israel earlier this month.

The attack is an escalation of tensions in the Middle East, which have been heightened since Hamas attacked Israel last year. The attack comes after Iran fired 180 missiles at Israel on October 1, which were mostly intercepted with the help of the United States.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant previously promised a “precise and deadly” response to the attack. according to Fox News.

Israel fired two waves of rockets over a period of two hours. The attacks hit military targets in Iran, along with Iran’s capital, Tehran, which was hit in both halves. It did not target nuclear sites, the Associated Press reported.

“In response to months of continued attacks by the regime in Iran against the State of Israel – right now, the Israel Defense Forces are conducting precision strikes on military targets in Iran,” the IDF said. POSTED to X. “The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have relentlessly attacked Israel since October 7 — on seven fronts — including direct attacks from Iranian soil.

“Like any other sovereign country in the world, the State of Israel has the right and duty to respond,” he continued. “Our defensive and offensive capabilities are fully mobilized. We will do whatever is necessary to defend the State of Israel and the people of Israel.”

Iran is expected to respond militarily, but Israeli and US officials hope it will be a limited response. according to Axios.

The United States said it was not participating in the strike. “We would refer you to the Israeli government for more information about their operation,” said Sean Savett, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council. CNN.

President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin were all there informed on Israeli attacks. Austin also spoke to Gallant.

The Syrian Air Defense said it encountered “hostile targets” near Damascus on Friday evening, according to state media. Iraq and Iran have closed their airspace due to security concerns.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow X for more coverage.