Israel Concludes Strikes on Iranian Missile Sites and Air Defenses – What We Know

Daylight has arrived in Iran following a series of Israeli airstrikes that lasted several hours. Israel’s military stated that these strikes, now completed, were in response to Iran’s recent ballistic missile attacks on Israel in early October and back in April.

Israel’s defense forces issued a warning to Iran, signaling that they are prepared to defend their citizens as concerns grow that this long-standing conflict could expand into a larger regional war, potentially involving the United States.

The strikes targeted facilities used to produce missiles that have been launched at Israel over the past year. It remains uncertain if these sites were also producing missiles for Iranian-aligned groups, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and Houthi rebels in Yemen. Regional tensions have escalated since Israel’s invasion of Gaza more than a year ago.

Israel also reported hitting Iranian air defense positions early Saturday to clear the way for its aircraft to reach the intended targets.

“The Israel Defense Forces conducted precise strikes on military sites across several regions in Iran. Our aircraft have safely returned,” the Israeli military announced.

Iran’s state news agency, IRNA, confirmed strikes on military sites in Tehran, Ilam, and Khuzestan provinces, noting that its air defenses responded effectively, limiting damage.

“Details of this incident are under investigation,” IRNA reported. Earlier, videos shared by Tehran residents captured explosions and tracer fire lighting up the pre-dawn sky. Later broadcasts showed life resuming in Tehran with regular traffic and activity.

The decision for Israel’s early Saturday strike followed weeks of internal discussions within Israel’s security cabinet regarding the scale and timing of the operation, according to Israeli sources.

The U.S. had reportedly advised Israel to avoid targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure to prevent sparking a wider conflict, a request Israel appeared to honor, based on early reports.

“This should conclude this direct exchange between Israel and Iran,” stated a senior U.S. administration official after the strikes.