WWIII fears as explosions are heard in Iraq after Israel launched bombing campaign on Iranian military targets
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Explosions were heard across Tehran as the Israeli military announced they launched retaliatory strikes in the region.
IDF forces said they were conducting ‘precise strikes’ on military targets in Iran in response to what it called ‘the continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against Israel’.
It announced hours later that the strikes were ‘completed’ and ‘the mission was fulfilled.’
The Middle East has been on edge in anticipation of Israeli retaliation for Iran’s attack on October 1, in which around 200 ballistic missiles were fired at Israel in Iran’s second direct attack on Israel in six months.
Follow MailOnline’s live coverage here for the latest updates.
Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin speaks to Israeli counterpart
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held a phone call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant following the airstrikes.
Austin emphasized the Pentagon’s bolstering of regional U.S. forces ‘in the face of threats from Iran and Iran-backed terrorist organizations,’ said Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder, a Pentagon spokesman.
A summary of the call said the US is determined ‘to prevent any actor for exploiting tensions.’
Iran says attacks caused ‘limited’ damage
Iranian officials said the Israeli attacks only caused ‘limited damage’ in a number of areas.
They said Israel ‘attacked parts of military centers in the provinces of Tehran, Khuzestan and Ilam,’ according to state news agency IRNA.
Officials also claimed ‘the attack has been successfully intercepted and countered’ by Iran’s ‘integrated air defense system.’
Israel would be ‘obligated to respond’ if Iran retaliates, IDF spokesman says
As he announced the end of the Israeli airstrikes on Iran, IDF Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari warned that if Iran retaliates, Israel would be ‘obligated to respond.’
‘Our message is clear: All those who threaten the state of Israel and seek to drag the region into a wider escalation will pay a heavy price,’ he said in a video posted to X.
‘We demonstrated today that we have both the capability and the resolve to act decisively, and we are prepared on offense and defense, to defend the state of Israel and the people of Israel.’
Strikes are over, Israel’s military says
The Israeli Defense Forces have announced that it has completed its ‘precise and targeted strikes.
‘Our planes have safely returned home,” the Israeli military said in a statement. ‘The retaliatory strike has been completed and the mission was fulfilled.’
Iran cancels all flights
All flights into Iran have been canceled until further notice, the country’s Civil Aviation Organization announced on state-media.
It had earlier issued a notice closing its airspace for several hours.
Israel hit Iran with three waves of attacks
US and Israeli officials said Israel hit Iran with three waves of strikes Saturday morning.
Explosions heard in Iraq
Some explosions have been reported in Iraq, Al-Mayadeen reported.
It said its correspondent reported explosions on the outskirts of Diyala and Salah al-Din.
Iran claims it shot down missiles
Iranian state media has reported that its air defenses have ‘successfully shot down adversarial targets in the airspace around Tehran province,’ according to Al Jazeera.
Footage of the interception appears to have been posted online as well.
Israeli strikes to last ‘several more hours’
Israel’s strikes on Tehran are expected to last ‘several more hours,’ an unidentified source told CNN.
The Israeli military started bombing the Iranian capital early Saturday morning local time, with Iranians reporting they have heard the sounds of explosions.
It remains unclear what targets have been hit, and where any further bombs may strike.
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