JERUSALEM, Israel – Israel announced Saturday, October 26, 2024, that it had launched airstrikes on Iranian military targets, including missile manufacturing sites and aerial defense systems, in retaliation for recent Iranian attacks.
The move has renewed concerns that ongoing hostilities between the two countries could spiral into a full-scale regional conflict that may draw in the United States.
According to Israeli military statements, the strikes targeted missile production facilities and anti-aircraft systems.
The assault was described as a calculated action to avoid critical infrastructure, including Iran’s nuclear and oil facilities, in an effort to limit further escalation.
Israeli officials stated the airstrikes were part of a defensive response following Iran’s October 1 missile barrage on Israeli territory.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu monitored the strikes from an undisclosed location, while Israeli jets returned after “fulfilling the mission,” according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Iran’s Foreign Ministry denounced the strikes as a “clear violation” of international law, stating it “considers itself entitled and obligated to defend itself.”
Iranian state media reported that Iranian air defenses intercepted the strikes over three provinces: Tehran, Ilam, and Khuzestan, claiming only “limited” damage.
The Iranian army reported two fatalities among its ranks, stating that the soldiers were “confronting the projectiles of the criminal Zionist entity,” a term commonly used by Iran to refer to Israel.
This exchange marks the latest in a series of hostilities between Israel and Iran, which have engaged in a complex conflict through proxy forces and direct actions.
Israel’s airstrikes follow a month of intense confrontations, including the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli strike last month, a move that Israel claims shifted “the balance of power in the region.”
In addition, ongoing Israeli operations in Lebanon and Gaza have resulted in high civilian casualties and massive displacement, with the conflict taking an increasing humanitarian toll, according to health officials and international monitors.
The United States, a close ally of Israel, has so far refrained from direct involvement.
A White House spokesperson noted that the U.S. had “encouraged restraint” but characterized the Israeli strikes as “an exercise in self-defense.”
U.S. allies in the Gulf, including the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar, echoed these concerns, with Gulf officials urging Israel to avoid striking Iranian oil assets due to the potential for widespread economic and environmental repercussions.
As the situation unfolds, diplomats and defense analysts warn that the region remains on high alert for further hostilities. The Israeli military spokesperson, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, issued a statement cautioning that Israel is “obligated to respond” should Iran choose to retaliate, underscoring the possibility of renewed escalations.
