Four weeks after Iran attacked Israel with a barrage of ballistic missiles to avenge attacks on ally Hezbollah, the Jewish state responded at the time of its choosing. Tensions in the region have never simmered and now Iran says it is ready to respond to the “act of aggression.”
Iran is ready to respond to any Israeli “aggression,” Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported, citing sources. “There is no doubt that Israel will face a proportionate response to any action it takes.” Tasnim cites the sources as follows.
The Israeli military has warned Iran that it will “pay a high price” if it begins a new round of escalation. Iran said the attack caused “limited damage.”
Israel strikes back
Iranian state television reported “strong explosions” around Tehran on Saturday morning, without specifying the cause. The semi-official Tasnim News Agency noted that no missiles or aircraft were reported in the skies over Tehran at the time of the explosions.
Iranian state television claimed that the explosions around Tehran were due to the “activation of the air defense system”. “The loud booms heard around Tehran were related to the activation of the air defense system against the actions of the Zionist regime that attacked three locations outside the city of Tehran,” state television reported.
Live updates Israel-Iran: Israel begins attacks on military targets in Iran
Iranian authorities suggested that the noises could be related to defensive measures, indicating that Iran’s air defense systems had been activated.
In addition to Tehran, residents of the nearby city of Karaj also reported hearing explosions. Iranian authorities said operations at critical locations such as Imam Khomeini International Airport, Mehrabad Airport and a prominent oil refinery south of Tehran were “normal” and unaffected by the attacks. However, several military bases near Tehran have reportedly been targeted by Israeli forces, according to Iran’s Fars News Agency.
Israeli officials said the attacks were justified as measures of self-defense. IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari also called on Israeli citizens to “remain alert and vigilant.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials are assessing the security situation after the attacks. Meanwhile, Iran has suspended all flights until further notice.
What happened on October 1st
A few hours before midnight, Iran attacked Israel with missiles and rockets after tensions escalated in West Asia following artillery and air strikes on Lebanon targeting Hezbollah, a Shiite militant group and a strong ally of Iran.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the attack was in response to the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah.
Videos show the night sky lighting up with explosions after air raid sirens echoed across the country.
The missiles rained down on Israel and the Iron Dome and Arrow air defense systems were in action to intercept and neutralize the targets. Iran fired more than 100 rockets, Israeli media reported, and several videos showed intercepted rocket debris falling over Israeli cities.