Israel begins precise strikes on Iran

Israel began “precise” airstrikes on Iran’s military targets on Friday night.

“In response to months of continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against the State of Israel – right now the Israel Defense Forces [IDF] is conducting precise strikes on military targets in Iran,” spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a video released by the military.

Hagari said that Israel’s “defensive and offensive capabilities are fully mobilized.” 

The airstrikes on the Islamic Republic came after Iran attacked Israel earlier this month, launching about 200 ballistic missiles that hit some military targets. 

Loud sounds of explosions were heard Iran’s captial, Tehran, while state-run news outlet said that some of the came from air defense system placed in the city vicinity, The Associated Press (AP) reported. A resident of Tehran told the AP that minimum seven explosions were heard in the city. 

Iran has launched two attacks in Israel in recent months amid the ongoing war between the Jewish State and Palestinian militant group Hamas, a war that kicked off on Oct. 7, 2023, following Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel’s south side that killed around 1,200 Israelis while some 250 were taken hostage.

In response, Israel’s military campaign has killed over 42,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, according to local health officials, a tally that does not distinguish between combatants and civilians. 

Israel also began a ground invasion into Lebanon after the attacks earlier this month. 

“Like every other sovereign country in the world, the State of Israel has the right and the duty to respond,” Hagari said before adding “we will do whatever necessary to defend the State of Israel and the people of Israel.”

President Biden has been briefed on the development, a U.S. official told The Hill’s partner, NewsNation. 

“We understand that Israel is conducting targeted strikes against military targets in Iran as an exercise of self-defense and in response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack against Israel on October 1,” National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett said in a statement to NewsNation. 

Defense officials told NewsNation that the U.S. was notified in advance of Israel’s plan to hit Iran in response its attack on Oct. 1., adding that Washington had no involvement in Israel’s strike.

NewsNation is owned by Nexstar which also owns The Hill. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Updated at 9:48 p.m. EDT.