In the early hours of Saturday morning, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) conducted three waves of airstrikes on Iranian military sites. The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) stated that these were “precise strikes” in response to missile attacks on Israel on October 11. The IDF targeted missile manufacturing facilities and surface-to-air missile arrays in order to eliminate the direct threat to Israeli citizens.
Following the airstrikes, Iran has warned of a “proportional reaction” to Israel’s actions. Iran’s Foreign Ministry emphasized its right to defend itself against foreign acts of aggression, citing Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. Qatar and Egypt have condemned the attacks, expressing concerns about potential escalation in the Middle East.
The White House official described Israel’s attacks as “extensive” and “precise,” characterizing them as a proportionate self-defence response. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of de-escalation and urged both Israel and Iran to show restraint.
The situation remains tense as Israel is on high alert for potential counterattacks from Iran and its proxies, such as the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The international community is closely monitoring the situation in the region to prevent further escalation and maintain peace and stability.