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Israel Launches Airstrikes Against Iran Amid Rising Tensions
Israel launched a series of airstrikes against Iran early Saturday morning, with explosions heard in the Iranian capital, Tehran, although no reports of damage or casualties have emerged.
Four hours after the operation, which Israel called "Days of Response," the Israeli military announced that it had completed its attacks on military targets in Iran, and that all its aircraft involved in the strikes returned to their bases safely, achieving all their objectives.
Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari stated that the attack was carried out under political directives in response to the Iranian regime's attacks against Israel and its citizens.
A senior U.S. official indicated that the Israeli response to Iran had concluded, urging Tehran not to retaliate or escalate the situation, asserting that if Iran chose to respond, "we would be fully prepared to defend Israel again, and there would be severe consequences."
He added that this should mark the end of direct strikes exchanged between Israel and Iran.
The Israeli attack began shortly before 2 AM on Tehran, after which Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari announced the start of a precise and targeted assault on Iran.
Later, Israeli media reported a second wave of Israeli attacks against Iran targeting sites, some of which were in Shiraz. Subsequently, Axios reported that Israeli and American officials stated Israel targeted Iran with three waves of strikes, with the first wave specifically aiming at Iran's air defense system.
After about four hours, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority confirmed the conclusion of the Israeli attack on Iran, which involved hundreds of fighter jets. The New York Times reported from Israeli officials that the assault concluded after about 20 sites were hit.
In Tehran, the Iranian air defense claimed it "foiled attempts by the Zionist entity to target several sites around Tehran and across the country."
The Tehran air defense center stated that the sounds of explosions heard in Tehran resulted from "our engagement with attempts by the Zionist entity to target three points," indicating that "details and angles of the air defense response to the Zionist attempts are being investigated."
Later, the Iranian air defense center stated that "the Zionist entity attacked military sites in the provinces of Tehran, Khuzestan, and Ilam."
