In this image taken from video released by the Israel Defense Forces, Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari announces that the IDF is conducting strikes on military targets in Iran, October 26, 2024. /CFP
Israel on Saturday launched what it called "precise strikes" on military targets in Iran in retaliation for Tehran's attacks on Israel earlier this month, the latest step in the escalating conflict between the heavily armed rivals.
The military operation lasted for hours and included three waves of strikes, Xinhua reported, citing Israeli media.
Iran's air defense forces confirmed on Saturday that several military bases in Tehran and other cities were targeted, saying the Israeli attack "caused limited damage" while being intercepted.
"This fake regime (Israel) attacked parts of military centers in Tehran, Khuzestan and Ilam provinces," Iran's air defense forces said in a statement.
The Middle East has been on edge in anticipation of Israeli retaliation for a ballistic-missile barrage carried out by Iran on October 1, in which around 200 ballistic missiles were fired at Israel, Iran's second direct attack on Israel in six months.
A general view of Tehran after several explosions were heard in the city, Tehran, Iran, October 26, 2024. /CFP
"In response to months of continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against the State of Israel – right now the Israel Defense Forces is conducting precise strikes on military targets in Iran," the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement.
Israel says it has the right and duty to respond to "attacks from Tehran and its proxies," which have included missile strikes launched from Iranian soil.
Iranian state TV quoted a military spokesman as saying the explosions heard in Tehran were linked "to air defense systems reacting to efforts by the Zionist regime (Israel) to attack three locations outside the city of Tehran."
Iran suspended Saturday all flights until further notice, the official IRNA news agency reported, citing the spokesperson of the Civil Aviation Organization.
Iranian authorities have repeatedly warned Israel against launching an attack, saying any strike on Iran would be met with a stronger retaliation.
Part of the Tehran's skyline at dawn after several explosions were heard in the city, Tehran, Iran, October 26, 2024. /CFP
The United States was notified by Israel ahead of its strikes on targets in Iran but was not involved in the operation, a U.S. official told Reuters.
"We understand that Israel is conducting targeted strikes against military targets in Iran as an exercise of self-defense and in response to Iran's ballistic missile attack against Israel on October 1," said White House National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett.
Washington is seeking to head off further widening of the conflict, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday, noting that Israel's retaliation should not lead to greater escalation.
Israeli airstrikes also targeted some military sites in Syria's central and southern parts early on Saturday, Syrian state news agency SANA reported.
Syrian air defense forces intercepted missiles launched by Israel "from the direction of the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights and the Lebanese territories" and shot down some of them, SANA added.
(With input from agencies)