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Explosions reported around Damascus in Syria
Syria’s state media is reporting explosions on the outskirts of the capital, Damascus, and the central region.
Explosions also reported around Tehran
Now we have Iran’s state media reporting explosions around the capital Tehran.
No cause has been reported and no more details announced.
Iran says it is ‘entitled’ and ‘obligated’ to defend itself
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned what it called “the Zionist regime’s aggressive actions against several military centres in Iran”, saying it is “entitled and obligated to defend itself against external aggressive acts” after the Israeli attacks on its soil.
The ministry said it considers the attacks “a blatant violation” of international law and the UN Charter, particularly the principle prohibiting threats or use of force against the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of countries.
“Iran emphasizes the use of all capabilities of the Iranian people to safeguard its security and vital interests. Furthermore, it affirms its responsibilities toward regional peace and security, while reminding all countries in the region of their individual and collective duties to protect regional peace and stability,” the statement said.
US will focus on preventing escalation after Israel's strikes on Iran, defense secretary says
US Defense Secretary Llyod Austin said the US is focused on preventing continued escalation in the Middle East after Israel’s strikes on Iran early Saturday.
Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant following the attack, and said in a Saturday post on X that the US military continues to have an enhanced presence in the region.
“I reaffirmed the ironclad commitment of the United States to Israel’s security and right to self-defense,” Austin said of his call with Gallant. “I made it clear that the United States maintains an enhanced force posture to defend U.S. personnel, Israel, and partners across the region in the face of threats from Iran and Iran-backed terrorist organizations and is determined to prevent any actor from exploiting tensions or expanding the conflict in the region.”
Some context: Analysts say the nature of Saturday’s strikes — which Israel said hit military sites, and did not target Iran’s energy infrastructure, according to an Israeli military source — indicates that a US pressure campaign to limit the scope of the Israeli attack may have been successful.
World leaders have been urging the two sides to avoid a wider regional war.
