Iran has reported that Israeli airstrikes targeted military sites within the country on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of two soldiers. This incident comes nearly a month after Israel promised to retaliate against Iran for a missile attack that heightened concerns about a broader conflict in the Middle East.
The Israeli military stated that its airstrikes hit various military facilities in Iran, including missile manufacturing and launch sites. They warned that Iran would face severe consequences if it chose to retaliate. A semi-official Iranian news agency responded by stating that Iran would enact a "proportional reaction" to Israel's actions.
Reports from Iranian media described multiple explosions occurring over several hours, beginning shortly after 2 a.m. local time. Israel's public broadcaster indicated that three waves of strikes had been completed and that the operation had ended by dawn. Iran stated its air defense systems managed to intercept some of the attacks, causing only limited damage to a few locations.
Tensions have been rising between Israel and Iran since Hamas, a Palestinian group based in Gaza, attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. This attack was reportedly supported by Hezbollah, a group in Lebanon that is believed to have backing from Iran. The situation escalated after Iran launched a ballistic missile barrage against Israel on October 1, which killed one person in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
With ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah and military operations in Gaza, fears of a wider regional war have increased. In a statement, the Israeli military claimed that the strikes were in response to months of continuous attacks from Iran.
In reaction to the Israeli strikes, Pakistan's foreign ministry condemned the actions, labeling them a serious violation of international law and the UN Charter. The ministry stated these attacks threaten regional peace and stability, calling on the UN Security Council to take action against "Israeli recklessness" and restore security in the region.