Officially, the American government confirmed the attack and defended Israel’s right to defense

The Israeli Army confirmed that it had launched a series of airstrikes against Iran, fulfilling its promise of retaliation for the firing of Iranian missiles earlier this month. The attack raises fears that the conflict could turn into an all-out war in the Middle East.

Residents of Tehran reported hearing several explosions in the early hours of Saturday (local time). Iran’s Fars News agency said Israel attacked several military bases in the west and south of the Iranian capital. Explosions were also reported in the area of ​​Imam Khomeini International Airport, but the state agency IRNA states that the terminal remains in operation, with no order to cancel flights.

Maryam Naraghi, an Iranian journalist, said she heard loud explosions in eastern Tehran, where she lives. “It was very close to where I am,” he reported. In videos circulating on social media, it is possible to hear sirens in the region, which includes military bases and the Parchin complex, associated with missile manufacturing.

Israeli Army spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a video statement that offensive and defensive capabilities are fully mobilized. And that there are no changes to the recommendations for Israelis so far.

“In response to the Iranian regime’s months of continued attacks against the State of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces are currently conducting precision strikes against military targets in Iran,” Hagari announced.

“The Iranian regime and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking Israel since October 7th,” the spokesperson continued. “Like every other sovereign country in the world, the State of Israel has the right and duty to respond.”

Officially, the American government confirmed the attack and defended Israel’s right to defense. “We understand that Israel is carrying out targeted strikes against military targets in Iran as a self-defense exercise and in response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Israel,” said Sean Savett, spokesman for the National Security Council.

Iran launched its second direct attack on Israeli territory at the beginning of the month, when it fired almost 200 missiles in retaliation for the assassinations of Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah leaders Hasan Nasrallah.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said at the time that the attack was a “big mistake” and promised that Iran would pay the price. The Iranian regime, in turn, threatened to bomb “all Israeli infrastructure” if it was attacked.