Iranian air defense confirms Israeli airstrikes on military sites

The Israeli military said in a statement:

"A short while ago, the IDF completed precise and targeted strikes against military targets in a number of areas in Iran. Our planes have safely returned home.

The strike was conducted in response to the attacks by the Iranian regime against the State of Israel and its citizens in recent months. The retaliatory strike has been completed and the mission was fulfilled.

Based on intelligence, IAF aircraft struck missile manufacturing facilities used to produce the missiles that Iran fired at the State of Israel over the last year. These missiles posed a direct and immediate threat to the citizens of the State of Israel.

Simultaneously, the IDF struck surface-to-air missile arrays and additional Iranian aerial capabilities, that were intended to restrict Israel's aerial freedom of operation in Iran."

Omid Memarian, journalist and political analyst, commented on recent Israeli airstrikes, saying that while the extent of the attacks remains unclear, they reportedly involved precise hits on military bases.

Memarian added in an interview with Iran International TV that in the past, the Islamic Republic has often concealed or downplayed significant military strikes against its facilities.

He said that if Iran’s leaders and IRGC commanders minimize the impact or costs of these attacks, it could signal a desire to reduce tensions and avoid a military response.

US National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said in a statement on Friday: “(Israel's) targeted strikes on military targets ... (are) an exercise of self-defense and in response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack against Israel on October 1.”

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Open-source live airline maps appeared to show almost no civilian aircraft in the skies between Israel and Tehran as the Jewish state confirmed it had begun air strikes.

Israeli military Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a video recording posted on X:

"In response to months of continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against the State of Israel – right now the Israel Defense Forces is conducting precise strikes on military targets in Iran.

The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking Israel since October 7th – on seven fronts – including direct attacks from Iranian soil.

Like every other sovereign country in the world, the State of Israel has the right and the duty to respond.

Our defensive and offensive capabilities are fully mobilized.

We will do whatever necessary to defend the State of Israel and the people of Israel."