Israel begins it long-promised attack on Iran

TEHRAN: A series of explosions were reported in Tehran and the adjacent city of Karaj early Saturday morning, with several western media outlets suggesting this signals the onset of a long-promised attack by Israel against Iran.

Israeli officials confirmed that operations targeting various military locations within Iran has begun.

Read more: Israel launches attack on Iran, explosions heard near IRGC HQ

According to the Jerusalem Post, an Israeli military spokesperson stated that “the Israeli Defense Forces are currently engaged in strikes against specific targets in Iran.

“This action is a direct response to ongoing threats posed by the Iranian regime to the State of Israel”.

The spokesperson said that the IDF was “fully prepared” for both, offensives and defensive operations, and monitoring development closely, including those involving Iranian proxies in the region.

According to reports, explosions were also heard at the Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran, with several Middle Eastern news outlets stating that the Israeli military targeted the headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

During the time of the attack, air traffic over Syria and northern Iraq was notably absent, as Iran purportedly closed its airspace.

Late Friday night, a fire was reported at a site linked with the Iranian Defense Ministry in Tehran, although officials from the Tehran Fire Department denied any link to the recent military actions.

Explosions were also reported in neighbouring Syria and Iraq, where air defense systems were activated in response.

The spokesperson for the Israeli Occupation Forces reiterated that military operations were focused on Iranian military assets, framing the actions as ‘necessary’.

Meanwhile, Iranian news agency Fars reported that at least five explosions were heard in the vicinity of Tehran. It noted that civilians aircraft have altered their flight paths to avoid Iranian airspace.

Read more: Blinken calls for a measured Israeli response to Iran attack

Sources have indicated that Israel’s military actions are a direct response for a ballistic missile strike attributed to Iran on October 1.

Reports from Fox News suggest that the Israeli strikes are intended to convey a ‘strong’ message to ‘deter’ Iran.