Israel initiates retaliatory strikes against Iran, attacking military targets

The Israeli military confirmed the start of its retaliation against Iran following missile strikes launched by the Iranian theocracy earlier this month against Israel.

The Israel Defense Forces detailed in its first statement that the "precise strikes" were aimed against Iranian "military targets."

"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 regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking Israel since October 7th on seven fronts, including direct attacks from Iranian soil," said Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari.

"Like every other sovereign country in the world, the State of Israel has the right and the duty to respond. Our defensive and offensive capabilities are fully mobilized. We will do whatever necessary to defend the State of Israel and the people of Israel," Hagari stated.

According to the Reuters agency, explosions were heard near Tehran, the Iranian capital, and Karaj, located 20 kilometers west of Tehran.

The Israeli attack, of which no deaths, injuries or damage have yet been reported, comes after Defense Minister Yoav Gallant promised an "accurate" response to the more than 180 missiles Iran launched at Israel on Oct. 1.

Earlier this month, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that the missiles fired at Israel were in retaliation for the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut (Lebanon) in an Israeli airstrike and for the operation that ended the life of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

Just two weeks after the strikes, Israel eliminated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in a military operation in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 16.

According to a report by Fox News Digital, two U.S. defense officials said Washington was notified by Israel of its plan, but that the U.S. military had no involvement in the operation.

According to NBC News, a senior Israeli official confirmed that the strikes are not targeting Iranian nuclear or oil centers.

"We are targeting things that could have threatened us in the past or could threaten us in the future," the official said.

In addition to Iran, the Syrian state-controlled news agency, SANA, reported that Israel struck several military targets in southern and central Syria around 2 a.m.

Such alleged attacks coincided with strikes against Iran, the agency reported.

SANA also informed that Syrian air defenses intercepted some of the suspected Israeli missiles and authorities are assessing the damage.