Escalating Tensions: The Background of Israel-Iran Hostilities
Latest explosion in Iran
In an early Saturday offensive, Israel initiated air strikes targeting Iran, marking a significant escalation amid prolonged hostilities. This latest move was confirmed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), which cited “months of continuous attacks” from Tehran and its regional allies as justification for the action.
Summary
The IDF announced it has begun “precise strikes on military targets” in Iran, accusing Iran of “relentlessly attacking Israel” since October 7, 2023. The United States, a close ally of Israel, has stated that the strikes are an “exercise of self-defense.”
The Operation
The IDF issued a statement confirming that its air strikes are targeting specific Iranian military sites, following an earlier report of explosions in the vicinity of Tehran. According to IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari, the operation aims to respond to what Israel considers persistent threats from Iran, including recent ballistic missile launches.
Iran retaliated on October 1, launching nearly 200 missiles toward Israel in response to the July assassination of Hamas’s political leader Ismail Haniyeh on Iranian soil—a move Tehran attributes to Israel.
U.S. Backs Israel’s Response
The United States, reiterating its support, identified Israel’s actions as self-defense. A White House official stated that President Joe Biden has been briefed on the developments and is monitoring the situation, although the U.S. defense department clarified it was not directly involved in the recent strikes.
Iranian and Syrian Responses
Following Israel’s offensive, Iranian state media reported explosions west of Tehran, with reports of attacks on military bases in Tehran’s southwest regions. Iran’s aviation authority subsequently suspended flights on all routes indefinitely. Syrian state media also reported additional Israeli air strikes on strategic military locations within Syria.
