By JON GAMBRELL, ADAM SCHRECK and TIA GOLDENBERG

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Iran’s military issued a carefully worded statement Saturday night arguing that a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon would trump any retaliation against Israel.

While the statement stated that it had the right to retaliate, it was suggested that Tehran may be trying to find a way to further increase tensions after Israel’s attack early on Saturday.

The Iranian military said Israel used “stand-off” missiles over Iraqi airspace to carry out its attacks, adding that the warheads were much lighter to reach the targets it hit in three Iranian provinces.

In the statement, it was stated that Iranian military radar sites were damaged, but some of them were currently under repair.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Below is AP’s earlier story.

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel attacked Military targets in Iran pre-dawn air strikes in retaliation on Saturday ballistic missile bombardment The Islamic Republic opened fire on Israel earlier this month. The attack was the first time the Israeli army openly attacked Iran.

Following the airstrikes, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said it had the right to self-defense and “considers itself entitled and obliged to defend against acts of foreign aggression.” Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran “has no limits” in defending its interests.

The Israeli military said it targeted surface-to-air missile sites as well as facilities used by Iran to build the missiles fired at Israel. There was no indication yet that oil or nuclear sites had been hit, which would indicate a much more serious escalation.

Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency said four people were killed, all by the country’s military air defenses. It was not stated where they were assigned. The Iranian army stated that the attacks targeted military bases in Ilam, Khuzestan and Tehran provinces, but did not provide details. The Islamic Republic said the attacks caused “limited damage”.

Attacks push arch-enemies closer to all-out war Spiral of violence in the Middle Eastincluding militant groups supported by Iran Hamas in Gaza And Hezbollah in Lebanon – already at war with Israel.

US President Joe Biden told reporters that Israel notified him before the attacks and that it appeared “they didn’t hit anything other than military targets.” He said he had just finished meeting with intelligence officials.

“I hope this will be the last time,” he said.

First open attack from Israel on Iran

Iran has not faced a sustained barrage of fire from a foreign enemy since its war with Iraq in the 1980s. Explosions could be heard in Tehran until sunrise.

In retaliation, Iran fired at least 180 missiles at Israel on October 1. devastating blows Israel opposed Hezbollah. They caused minimal damage and few injuries. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran “made a big mistake.”

Israel is also widely thought to be behind this attack. Limited air strike in April The radar system of a Russian-made air defense battery was hit near a major air base in Iran. There was Iran fired a wave of missiles and drones In Israel in April minimal damageFollowing the killing of two Iranian generals in an Israeli airstrike on the Iranian diplomatic post in Syria.

“Iran has twice attacked Israel, including at places that endangered civilians, and has paid the price,” Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said. He added: “If the regime in Iran makes the mistake of starting a new round of tensions, we will have to respond.”

Footage published by the Israeli army showed members preparing to launch attacks with American-made F-15 and F-16 warplanes.

Yoel Guzansky, a researcher at the Tel Aviv Institute for National Security Studies who previously worked for Israel’s National Security Council, said Israel’s strike did not eliminate highly visible or symbolic facilities that could trigger a significant response from Iran.

This also gives Israel room to escalate tensions if necessary, he said, adding that targeting air defense systems would weaken Iran’s ability to defend against future attacks, adding that if Iran retaliates, it should be limited.

Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa program at London-based think tank Chatham House, said Israel has once again shown that its military precision and capabilities are superior to Iran’s.

“By targeting military sites and missile facilities on its nuclear and energy infrastructure, Israel is also sending the message that it will not further escalate tensions,” Vakil said. “This is a sign that diplomacy and back-channel efforts to soften the attack have been successful.”

Biden’s administration won Assurance from Israel He said in mid-October that it would not hit nuclear facilities and oil facilities.

After the strikes, the streets calmed down in the Iranian capital, children went to school, and stores opened. There were long queues at gas stations; This is a common situation in Tehran, where military violence is escalating as people stock up on fuel. But some Tehran residents appeared concerned and avoided speaking to an Associated Press reporter.

Mixed reactions at home and abroad

Israel’s opposition leader, Yair Lapid, criticized the decision to avoid “strategic and economic targets”, saying “We could and should have demanded a much heavier price from Iran” for X.

The US warned against further retaliation, and Britain and Germany said Iran should not respond. “Any actions that escalate tensions are condemnable and must be stopped,” a spokesman for the UN secretary-general said.

Saudi Arabia was one of several countries in the region to condemn the attack, calling it a “violation of Iran’s sovereignty and international laws and norms.”

While both Hezbollah and Hamas condemned Israel’s attack, Hezbollah said it would not affect Tehran’s support for Lebanese and Palestinians fighting Israel.

Regional tensions have been increasing in recent weeks.

Dozens of people died and thousands were injured in Lebanon in September. pagers and walkie-talkies Explosives used by Hezbollah exploded in attacks attributed to Israel. A major Israeli airstrike outside Beirut the following week Killed Hezbollah’s long-time leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Israel launched an initiative Ground attack on Southern Lebanon. more than a million Lebanese people displacedThe death toll in the air strikes in Beirut and its surroundings increased rapidly.

Enemies for decades

Israel and Iran have been bitter enemies since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Israel views its leaders’ calls for Israel’s destruction, their support for anti-Israel militant groups, and Iran as the biggest threat. country’s nuclear program.

During years of shadow wars, a suspected Israeli assassination campaign killed Iranian nuclear scientists and Iran’s nuclear facilities were hacked or sabotaged.

Meanwhile, Iran is blamed for attacks on shipping in the Middle East, which later Attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen Regarding shipping via the Red Sea corridor.

The shadow war between Hamas and others has increasingly come to light since October 7, 2023. Militants attacked Israel. They killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took approximately 250 hostages into Gaza. In response, Israel launched an operation. devastating air and ground attack Against Hamas, Netanyahu vowed to continue fighting until all hostages are released. About 100 people remained, and about a third are believed to be dead.

More than 42,000 Palestinians have been killed in largely devastated Gaza, according to local health officials, who do not distinguish between civilians and combatants but say more than half are women and children.

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Gambrell reported from Dubai and the United Arab Emirates, and Schreck reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran; Abby Sewell in Beirut; Lolita C. Baldor, Farnoush Amiri and Zeke Miller in Washington; David Rising in Bangkok; and Aamer Madhani in Wilmington, Delaware, contributed to this report.

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First Publication Date: 26 October 2024, 03:54