Israel attacks Iran's military targets: World reacts to strikes

Iran's army said on Saturday that two of its soldiers were killed in the Israeli strike on the country earlier in the day.

In a statement published on its public relations website, the army said two fighters "sacrificed their lives" while countering Israel's projectiles to defend Iran's security and prevent harm to the country's people and interests.

It said further information would soon be released.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said early Saturday that Israel had completed what it called a retaliatory attack on military targets in Iran earlier in the day.

The IDF launched "precise and targeted" air strikes on targets in several areas in Iran in response to the attacks from Iran in recent months, it said in a statement.

Israel's state-owned Kan TV News reported that "dozens of jets, including F35, F16 and F15, attacked 20 military targets in Iran."

'Limited damage'

Iran's air defense headquarters said in a statement that it had successfully countered the Israeli attack, which inflicted "limited damage," Tasnim News Agency reported.

The report said damage occurred in some areas while Iran's integrated air defense system intercepted and countered the attack, adding that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The Tasnim report also said that the Israeli forces targeted military sites in Tehran, Khuzestan and Ilam provinces on Saturday morning, despite prior warnings from Iran urging Israel to avoid risky actions.

On October 1, Iran fired approximately 180 missiles at Israeli targets. Tehran described the strikes as retaliation for the assassinations of several leaders of regional resistance groups, among other things.

In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Iran had made a "grave mistake" and vowed retaliation.

World reactions

Saudi Arabia condemned the military operation that targeted Iran early Saturday, the kingdom's foreign ministry said in a statement.

The attack violated Iran's sovereignty and international laws and norms, according to the ministry.

Saudi Arabia affirmed its rejection of the continued escalation in the region and the expansion of the conflict that threatens the security and stability of the region's countries and people.

It called on the international community and active parties to strive toward reducing escalation and ending regional conflicts.

Hamas condemned Saturday's Israeli attack on Iran, considering it a "blatant violation" of Iranian sovereignty.

"The Israeli aggression which targeted military sites in Iran is a blatant violation of Iranian sovereignty," Hamas said in a press statement.

The statement considered the attack "an escalation targeting the security of the region and the safety of its people," and it "holds the occupation fully responsible for the repercussions of this aggression supported by the United States of America."

It said that "the aggression confirms once again the nature of the criminal occupation, which continues to shed the blood of innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and other Arab and Islamic peoples, relying on a criminal military and political cover from the American administration and some Western capitals."

The statement affirmed the movement's solidarity and support for Iran in confronting Israel's "arrogance and chaos," praising the courageous positions shown by the Iranian people and their leadership in supporting the Palestinian people and their just cause.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Saturday condemned Israel's attack on Iran "in the strongest terms."

"It is now clear that putting an end to Israeli terror in the region has become a historic task to ensure international security and peace," said the ministry, calling on the international community to take immediate action to enforce the law.

"As Türkiye, we reiterate that we do not want any further war, violence, and lawlessness in our region," it said.

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday that the country expresses its grave concern over the Israeli attack on Iran and condemns all measures that threaten regional security and stability.

In a statement it said, "Egypt stresses its position that a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip should be reached quickly within the framework of a deal through which hostages are released given that it is the only way to de-escalate."

Qatar condemns in the strongest terms the Israeli occupation forces' storming of Kamal Adwan Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip, the arrest of medical staff and a number of patients and wounded people, according to the country's foreign ministry on Saturday.

Qatar calls on the international community to assume its responsibilities and provide protection for dozens of children, patients and wounded people, and members of medical staff detained by the Israeli occupation authorities inside the hospital, said the ministry.

(With input from agencies)