Israel-Iran latest: Tehran warns it is ‘obligated’ to defend itself in wake of Israeli revenge strikes
Two soldiers have been killed in Israeli strikes on Iran as Hamas says attack is an ‘escalation’
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Iran has said it is “obligated and entitled to defend itself” after Israeli revenge strikes hit military sites on Saturday.
The attack, which Israel described as “precise and targeted”, further escalates the conflict between the two adversaries and risks a wider war in the Middle East.
Multiple countries have condemned the “dangerous” escalation and called for “regional peace and stability”. The Israeli strikes were in response to a barrage of missiles launched by Iran in early October. A Biden official has said that the latest strikes from Israel “should be the end” of the tit-for-tat conflict between the two countries.
The attack began shortly after 2am local time as Iranian media reported explosions in Tehran and surrounding areas.
Iran’s air defences reportedly intercepted many of the Israeli drones and missiles over the provinces of Tehran, Khuzestan and Ilam, and Tehran said the attack caused only “limited damage”.
Hamas has said that the strikes are a “flagrant violation of Iranian sovereignty and an escalation that threatens the security of the region.”
Military analyst: Strikes are ‘largest attack’ on Iran since war with Iraq
Israel’s air strikes on Iran are the largest direct attack on Iranian territory since the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, a military analyst has said.
Matthew Savill, military sciences director at the Royal United Services Institute, has said that the attacks have “avoided anything that looks sensitive”, adding: “No indications of nuclear or senior regime targets hit, nor energy/oil targets”.
He said that striking Tehran “shows that [Israel] can get to the heart of the regime” - “The Israelis are emphasising their precision”.
Mr Savill continued: “The Iranians are probably still evaluating the damage, but are certainly downplaying it as if they want to avoid escalating further (for now).”
Analysis: Israel has heeded US advice with limited strikes
Nomi Bar-Yaacov, associate fellow at Chatham House’s International Security Programme, has said that Israel’s strikes on Iran were carried out in a way that will not humiliate Tehran and “will allow Iran to draw a line under the direct exchanges between the two countries.
She said: "Israel’s strikes upon Iran have been carried out in a manner that would allow Iran to contain them and not respond directly. Israel has clearly heeded the US in that it deliberately did not target Iranian leaders or IRGC commanders, they did not attack nuclear sites or oil refineries, and they avoided civilian infrastructure.”
She predicted that if Iran respond to the latest Israeli strikes then the risk of escalation is significant, as Israel would be likely to respond in a more serious manner.
Ms Bar-Yaacov added: “A key element in preventing further escalation is ensuring that plans are in place to reach a ceasefire, and implement the various plans on the table, including the plan presented by the ministers of foreign affairs on Saudi Arabia and Jordan in the UN."
Lebanon condemns Israeli airstrikes on Iran
Lebanon’s foreign ministry has condemned Israel’s airstrikes on multiple sites in Iran, describing them as a violation of Iranian sovereignty and a serious threat to regional and international peace and security.
It comes after Hezbollah said on Saturday that it had launched a drone attack against Israel’s Tel Nof airbase, south of Tel Aviv.
On Friday, it was reported that an Israeli airstrike hit guesthouses where journalists were staying in southeast Lebanon, killing three members of the media.
The journalists worked for broadcasters Al-Manar TV and Al Mayadeen TV. Lebanon’s information ministersaid that the attack was deliberate and described it as a “war crime”.
Acting UN Humanitarian chief: Entire population of North Gaza at risk of dying
The acting UN humanitarian chief has released a statement warning that the entire population of North Gaza is at risk of dying.
On Saturday morning, Joyce Msuya condemned the attacks from the Israeli army on North Gaza, saying they “cannot be allowed to continue”.
She continued: “Hospitals have been hit and health workers have been detained. Shelters have been emptied and burned down. First responders have been prevented from rescuing people from under the rubble. Families have been separated and men and boys are being taken away by the truckload.”
Read her full statement here:
EgyptAir cancels flights to Baghdad and Erbil
Egyptian national carrier EgyptAir said on Saturday it had cancelled flights to Iraq’s capital Baghdad and northern city of Erbil, citing regional developments, after Israeli airstrikes on military targets in neighbouring Iran.
What has Hamas said about the latest Israeli strikes?
Palestinian militant group Hamas has reacted to Israel’s strikes on Iran.
In a statement on social media app Telegram, Hamas said: “The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) strongly condemns the Zionist aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran, targeting military sites in multiple provinces. We consider this a flagrant violation of Iranian sovereignty and an escalation that threatens the security of the region and the safety of its people, placing full responsibility on the occupation for the consequences of this aggression, supported by the United States of America.”
Israel said that the pre-dawn airstrikes were in response to the barrage of ballistic missiles that Iran fired earlier this month.
There was no immediate indication that oil or missile sites were hit - strikes that would have marked a much more serious escalation.
Qatar and Egypt condemn escalation and urge restraint
Qatar’s foreign ministry has condemned Israel’s airstrikes on Iran and urged restraint and dialogue to avoid regional instability.
Egypt has also expressed grave concern over the Israeli attacks and condemned all measures that threaten regional security and stability.
Watch: Starmer urges Iran not to respond to Israeli airstrikes
Iran says it is ‘entitled and obligated’ to defend itself
Iran’s foreign ministry have issued a statement after Israeli strikes targeted military production sites in Iran.
The ministry has said that it is “entitled and obligated to defend itself against external aggressive acts”.
Calling the Israeli attack a violation of international law, the ministry said in a statement that Tehran “recognises its responsibilities towards regional peace and security”.
Media outlet Iran International reported the statement as saying: “The Islamic Republic of Iran, emphasizing the use of all material and spiritual capabilities of the Iranian people to defend its security and vital interests, also acknowledges its regional peace and security responsibilities. It highlights the individual and collective responsibility of all countries in the region to safeguard peace and stability.”
Iran should not respond to Israeli strikes – Sir Keir Starmer
UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has urged Tehran not to retaliate after Israel launched a series of airstrikes targeting military sites in Iran overnight.
The government said it was monitoring the unfolding situation in the Middle East “closely” after the strikes early on Saturday.
The attacks did not target nuclear or oil facilities, two Israeli officials confirmed to the Associated Press. Iranian state media have said that two soldiers have been killed as a result of the Israeli strikes.
Read more here:
Iran should not respond to Israeli strikes – Starmer
The Government said it is monitoring the unfolding situation in the Middle East ‘closely’.
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