Israel strikes Iranian military targets: IDF sends 'will pay price' warning; Tehran claims 'limited damage'
By Sunita Iyer | First Published Oct 26, 2024, 10:41 AM ISTHours after Israel conducted 'precision strikes' against multiple military targets within Iran, IDF Spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari confirmed that the objectives of the strikes were successfully achieved.
Hours after Israel conducted 'precision strikes' against multiple military targets within Iran, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari confirmed that the objectives of the strikes, which targeted missile manufacturing facilities and air defense systems, were successfully achieved.
Saturday's strike was in response to a series of Iranian ballistic missile attacks on Israel, including a major assault following the October 7 2023 massacre, as well as attacks by Iran's regional proxies in recent weeks.
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Hagari also warned that Israel would not hesitate to strike again if further provoked, highlighting that the military had a "wide bank of targets" from which to select.
“I can now confirm that we have concluded the Israeli response to Iran’s attacks against Israel. We conducted targeted and precise strikes on military targets in Iran — thwarting immediate threats to the State of Israel.”
Watch IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari talk about the… pic.twitter.com/1OOss3etpV
"The reprisal strike was completed, and its objectives were achieved. Now, Israel has wider freedom of action also in Iran. Iran struck Israel twice… and has paid the price for that," Hagari said.
"We are focused on the goals of the war in Gaza and Lebanon. It is Iran that continues to push for a wide regional escalation. We will know how to select additional targets [from the bank], and strike them if required. This is a clear message, whoever threatens Israel, will pay a heavy price," he added.
This is not Tel Aviv
This is not Haifa
This is not Safed
This is Tehran, Iran .
Israel can go to any extent to protect its people.
It would be wise not to underestimate them. pic.twitter.com/cvXRj3Vvgt
This is Nothing But Tehran in Iran
🔴 Breaking: Reports of an Israeli strike on key targets in Iran. Details are still emerging. Stay tuned for updates. pic.twitter.com/rVpsR73DdT
United States backs Israel's retaliation
In Washington, a senior official of the Joe Biden administration supported Israel's right to retaliate, describing the strike as 'targeted and proportional'. While not directly involved in the strikes, the US reportedly coordinated closely with the IDF in recent weeks and encouraged a measured response to deter further aggression without adding more fuel to the ongoing regional escalation.
During a recent call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Joe Biden reiterated that Israel should aim for deterrence while avoiding escalation risks. The US has since bolstered Israel's defense, deploying THAAD missile batteries to enhance Israel’s capabilities in the event of an Iranian counterstrike.
The Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi, is currently commanding the strike on Iran from the Israeli Air Force underground command center in Camp Rabin (The Kirya) with the Commanding Officer of the Israeli Air Force, Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar. pic.twitter.com/HChm7XdTds
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF)Iran says 'limited damage' after Israeli strikes
In the wake of Israel's 'precision strikes', Iranian officials acknowledged the IDF's attack on several military locations in Tehran, Khuzestan, and Ilam provinces, but claimed that their air defenses countered the attack, resulting in “limited damage.”
Iranian media reported that some military bases near Tehran were targeted, causing explosions in parts of the capital. Despite the attack, Tehran’s two major airports remained operational.
In response to months of continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against the State of Israel—right now the Israel Defense Forces is conducting precise strikes on military targets in Iran.
The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking… pic.twitter.com/OcHUy7nQvN
Earlier today, the IDF emphasized that the strikes were conducted within Israel’s "right and duty to respond" to Iranian aggression. "Our defensive and offensive capabilities are fully mobilized,” an IDF spokesperson said. "We will do whatever necessary to defend the State of Israel and its people.”
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