According to the Israeli military, Israel has launched a series of ‘precise’ attacks against Iran.
Local media reported that several explosions were heard in and around Tehran and Karaj early on Saturday.
The IDF said the attacks came because “the regime in Iran and its allies in the region have been relentlessly attacking Israel since October 7,” the day Hamas, an Iranian ally, launched its surprise cross-border invasion of Israel last year.
The explosions in Tehran mark the latest escalation in what is quickly becoming a multi-front conflict between Israel and Iran-linked forces in the region, including Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Iran fired a barrage of missiles into Israel earlier this month.
Explosions were also heard in Damascus, Syria, although it is unclear whether these were Israeli attacks.
Key points
Iran describes minimal damage from strikes
01:57 , Jos Marcus
Iranian state media describes the negligible impact of Israeli attacks on the country so far.
The IRNA news agency quoted a security source as claiming that the loud noises heard in Tehran were caused by “defense activity in Tehran, and that air defense was successful during this incident,” according to Al Jazeera.
The agency added in a separate Telegram message that there were no reports of incidents requiring assistance and that major airports were operating “normally.”
Explosions heard in Damascus: state television
01:45 , Jos Marcus
While Israel admitted to attacking Iran overnight, explosions were also reportedly heard in Damascus, Syria, according to state television reports cited by Reuters.
Israel has carried out attacks on the Iranian ally elsewhere in the conflict since October 7, including an attack widely blamed on the IDF on an Iranian consulate building in Syria in April, and an attack Thursday near Damascus.
WATCH: Israel announces ‘precise strikes’ against Iran
1:30 am , Jos Marcus
Israel has announced a new step in its campaign against Iran.
Here is IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari describing the recent attacks.
In response to months of continued attacks by the regime in Iran on the State of Israel, the Israeli army is currently conducting precise attacks on military targets in Iran.
The regime in Iran and its allies in the region have ruthlessly launched attacks on… pic.twitter.com/OcHUy7nQvN
– Israeli Defense Forces (@IDF) October 25, 2024
Breaking: Israel carries out ‘precise strikes’ against Iran in Tehran
01:29 , Jos Marcus
According to the Israeli military, Israel has launched a series of “precise strikes” against Iran.
“[L]like every other sovereign country in the world, the State of Israel has the right and obligation to respond” because “the regime in Iran and its allies in the region…are ruthlessly attacking Israel” since October 7, 2023. the Israeli army told the BBC.
According to local media, explosions were heard west of the Iranian capital Tehran early Saturday local time.
According to the Israeli newspaper Haartez, at least five explosions were heard.
More details in our full story.
Israel carries out ‘precise strikes’ against Iran in Tehran
Israel’s war on multiple fronts continues
01:28 , Jos Marcus
Good evening and welcome to The independent‘s live coverage of Israel’s multi-front war.
The IDF struck Iran early Saturday local time, with local media reporting multiple explosions around the capital Tehran.
We follow the latest news live.