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.”
Israeli attacks expected to last one night: report
According to ABC News, sources insist that the Israeli attacks are expected to last just one night.
PM Netanyahu at IDF HQ overseeing Iran attacks
Prime Minister Netanyahu at IDF HQ monitoring the attack on Iran pic.twitter.com/L7Br4jXrdy
— Mossad Commentary (@MOSSADil) October 25, 2024
Photo: Israeli generals command attack on Iran from base in Tel Aviv
Iran describes minimal damage from strikes
Iranian state media is describing a negligible impact from Israel’s strikes on the country so far.
The IRNA news agency cited a security source claiming lound sounds heard in Tehran were caused by “defence activity in Tehran, and the air defense was successful during this incident,” according to Al Jazeera.
The agency added in a separate Telegram post that there were no reports of incidents requiring assistance and major airports were running as “normal.”
Explosions heard in Damascus: state TV
As Israel acknowledged striking Iran overnight, explosions were also reportedly heard in Damascus, Syria, according to state TV reports cited by Reuters.
WATCH: Israel announces ‘precise strikes’ against Iran
Israel announced a new step in its campaign against Iran.
Here’s IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari describing the recent strikes.
Breaking: Israel conducting ‘precise strikes’ against Iran in Tehran
Israel has launched a series of “precise strikes” against Iran, according to the Israeli military.
“[L]ike every other sovereign country in the world, the State of Israel has the right and the duty to respond”, due to “the regime in Iran and its proxies in the region... relentlessly attacking Israel,” since 7 October 2023, the Israel Defense Forces told the BBC.
Explosions were heard were heard early Saturday local time west of the Iranian capital of Tehran, according to local media.
At least five explosions were heard, according to Israeli newspaper Haartez.
More details in our full story.
Israel conducting ‘precise strikes’ against Iran in Tehran
Explosions were heard early Saturday local time near Tehran, according to local media
Israel’s multi-front war continues
Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Israel’s multi-front war.
The IDF struck Iran early Saturday local time, with local media reporting multiple explosions around the capital of Tehran.
We’ll be following the latest news live.
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