Israeli military’s attacks on Iran have finished: Report
The Israeli military’s attacks on Iran ended at about 5am local time (02:30 GMT), after hitting roughly 20 sites over the course of several hours, two Israeli officials have told The New York Times on condition of anonymity.
Israeli military confirms strikes against Iran are over
The Israeli military said it has completed “precise and targeted” airstrikes on military targets in Iran.
“The retaliatory strike has been completed and the mission was fulfilled,” the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement. “Our planes have safely returned home.”
The Israeli Air Force struck “missile manufacturing facilities” that it said were used to produce the missiles that Iran fired at Israel over the last year. It also said the Israeli military struck “surface-to-air missile arrays and additional Iranian aerial capabilities, that were intended to restrict Israel’s aerial freedom of operation in Iran.”
Netanyahu conducts "security situation assessment" from Kirya military base
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conducted a “security situation assessment” from the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, according to the prime minister’s office.
Those in attendance include Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces and the heads of its intelligence agencies Mossad and Shin Bet, the statement said.
Netanyahu was in a bunker in the military base early Saturday (local time) during the attack in Iran, his office said earlier.
US Defense Secretary Austin emphasizes "enhanced force posture" to defend Israel in call with Israeli counterpart
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant spoke Friday about Israel’s strikes on Iranian military targets. Austin “emphasized the enhanced force posture” of US troops to defend US personnel and Israel, Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said Friday evening.
“Secretary Austin reaffirmed the ironclad commitment of the United States to Israel’s security and right to self-defense,” Ryder said. “The Secretary emphasized the enhanced force posture of the United States to defend US personnel, Israel, and partners across the region in the face of threats from Iran and Iran-backed terrorist organizations and the US determination to prevent any actor from exploiting tensions or expanding the conflict in the region.”
Israel’s assault on Gaza and Lebanon continues amid Iran attacks
The Israeli military’s attacks on several Iranian sites in recent hours come as it continues it deadly bombardments of Gaza and Lebanon.
At least 88 Palestinians were killed by Israeli attacks across Gaza on Friday, including 38 people – 14 children among them – in a strike on a residential building in Khan Younis in the south of the territory.
In Lebanon, the country’s Health Ministry said on Friday the death toll from Israeli attacks since October 2023 has surged to 2,634 in recent weeks as a result of its escalating assault on the country.
At least 41 people were killed and 133 wounded in Israeli attacks in the latest 24 hour period, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said on Friday.
Iran says Israeli attacks intercepted, causing "limited damage"
Iran said Israel attacked military facilities across the country Saturday morning, causing “limited damage” in some areas.
Israel “attacked parts of military centers in the provinces of Tehran, Khuzestan and Ilam,” state news agency IRNA reported, adding that “the attack has been successfully intercepted and countered” by Iran’s “integrated air defense system.”
Iranian officials earlier said air defenses were deployed “in several areas around Tehran and the country,” according to IRNA.
Iranian military says Israeli strikes targeted bases in three provinces
Iran’s military has confirmed that Israeli strikes on the country targeted military bases in Ilam, Khuzestan and Tehran provinces, causing “limited damage.” The statement from Iran’s armed forces was read aloud on state television, which showed no images from the sites of the attacks.
Iran’s military claimed its air defences limited the damage inflicted by Israel’s strikes.