Conflict escalates in West Asia as Israel launches ‘precision strikes’ on military targets in Iran

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday it was carrying out “precision strikes” on Iranian military targets, nearly a month after Tehran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles toward Israel.

The IDF said the strikes were being carried out in response to “continuous attacks” by Iran and its proxies since October 7, and said Israel had the “right and duty” to respond.

“The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been continuously attacking Israel on seven fronts since October 7 – including direct attacks from Iranian soil,” the Israeli military said.

It says, “Like every other sovereign country in the world, the State of Israel has the right and duty to respond.”

The IDF said that its “defensive and offensive capabilities are fully activated,” and that it “will do whatever is necessary to defend the State of Israel and the people of Israel.”

In a brief video statement, IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari announced that there are no changes to the instructions given to the public at this time, as the attacks are being carried out in Iran, The Times of Israel reports.

Expressing Israel’s preparedness in attack and defense, Hagari said, “The IDF is fully prepared in attack and defense. According to the Times of Israel report, we are monitoring the developments in Iran and its proxies in the region.

he/she further said, “We are continuously assessing the situation on the home front and there is no change in the instructions of the Home Front Command at this stage. You should remain alert and cautious and follow the guidelines of the Home Front Command.

he/she said that further updates will be provided as per the need.

Sharing a brief video statement from Hagari on Twitter, the IDF said, “Right now the Israel Defense Forces are conducting precision strikes on military targets in Iran – in response to months of sustained attacks by the regime in Iran against the State of Israel.”

“The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been continuously attacking Israel on seven fronts since October 7, including direct attacks from Iranian soil. The State of Israel, like every other sovereign country in the world, has the right and duty to respond. Our defensive and offensive capabilities are fully operational. “We will do whatever is necessary to defend the State of Israel and the people of Israel.”

The IDF’s statement came after multiple reports on social media that claimed at least five explosions were heard near the Iranian capital, Tehran. There has been no official comment from Iranian officials on the blasts.

Conflict has been going on in the Middle East since Hamas launched a major terrorist attack on Israel on October 7 last year.

The attack began on multiple fronts, with Yemen’s Houthis and Lebanon’s Hezbollah – considered ‘symbols’ of Iran – joining the conflict. Iran became directly involved in the conflict when it fired approximately 200 ballistic missiles toward Israel on October 1.

Since then, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several other top leaders vowed to retaliate against Tehran.

This attack took place after the assassination of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar. Before him/her, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah were also assassinated. On both occasions, Iran had vowed to take revenge from Israel.