Two Iranian soldiers were killed in Israel’s overnight attack on the country, the Iranian military announced in a statement today.
The statement said the soldiers lost their lives while “defending Iran’s security and preventing harm to the Iranian people and interests, in response to projectiles launched by the criminal Zionist regime.”
It did not, however, specify the location of the attack or the extent of the damage, adding that more details would be released soon.
Security sources reported that the attack began around 2.30 am local time (2300GMT), with residents in Tehran hearing loud sounds from air defense systems.
According to Iran’s air defence forces, the Israeli strikes targeted sites in the capital Tehran as well at the Khuzestan and Ilam provinces, claiming that its defences successfully thwarted the strikes, as reported by state media.
However, it added that “limited damage” was reported in some locations, with investigations ongoing.
An Israeli army spokesperson said the operation was aimed at Iran’s missile production facilities, surface-to-air missile systems, and other air defence infrastructure.
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“I can now confirm that we have concluded the Israeli response to Iran’s attacks against Israel,” Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a video statement. “We conducted targeted and precise strikes on military targets in Iran, thwarting immediate threats to the state of Israel.”
He added that the Israeli army “has fulfilled its mission.”
“If the regime in Iran were to make the mistake of beginning a new round of escalation, we will be obligated to respond,” he said.
Israeli media reported that over 100 Israeli fighter jets took part in the attack on Iran, but the Iranian Tasnim news agency cited official sources saying that “Israel’s claims of 100 military aircraft participating in the attack are entirely false, as Israel aims to exaggerate the scale of its weak assault.”
Following a brief suspension due to attacks on several Iranian cities early Saturday, flights in the country resumed at 9 am local time (0530GMT), authorities confirmed.
A civil aviation spokesperson announced the resumption, advising passengers to stay updated by following messages from airline companies.
The spokesperson added that for specific flight times or delays, passengers should contact the airlines directly.
Saturday’s attack, a rare direct strike on Iranian military sites, follows Iran’s October 1 missile attacks on targets in Tel Aviv, which were in retaliation for the deaths of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Abbas Nilforoushan.
Iran previously warned that any attack from Israel would prompt a “harsher response.”
According to experts, the attack is likely to further escalate tensions between the two arch-foes.
International reaction
The U.S. said earlier 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 1st.”
UK PM Keir Starmer urged Iran not to respond, saying the Middle East needs to “avoid further regional escalation.”
Speaking at a press conference in Samoa, the Prime Minister said: “I am clear that Israel has the right to defend itself against Iranian aggression. I’m equally clear that we need to avoid further regional escalation and urge all sides to show restraint. Iran should not respond. We will continue to work with allies to de-escalate the situation across the region.”
States across the Mideast – including Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Qatar – condemned Saturday’s Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory.
In a statement, Oman’s Foreign Ministry expressed “strong condemnation and denunciation” of the strikes, calling them a “blatant violation of (Iran’s) sovereignty” and “a clear breach of international law.”
The ministry warned that the attacks “fuel a cycle of violence and undermine efforts toward de-escalation and crisis containment through peaceful and diplomatic means.”
Oman urged the international community to take “effective action to halt this aggression.”
Qatar expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of Israel’s targeting of Iran, branding the attacks “a blatant violation of Iran’s sovereignty and a clear breach of the principles of international law.”
The Qatari Foreign Ministry expressed “deep concern regarding the serious repercussions that may result from this escalation” and urged all concerned parties to “exercise restraint, resolve disputes through dialogue and peaceful means, and avoid anything that could destabilize security and stability in the region.”
Jordan’s Foreign Ministry condemned the Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory.
Ministry spokesman Sufyan Qudah reiterated the kingdom’s “absolute rejection of the dangerous escalation in the region and violations of international law.”
Qudah called on the international community to “fulfill its responsibilities and take immediate actions to impose a cessation of Israeli aggression on Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon as a first step toward de-escalation.”
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry expressed its “strong condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli attack,” calling it a “violation of Tehran’s sovereignty and a breach of international laws and norms.”
In a statement, the kingdom emphasised its “consistent position against the ongoing escalation and expansion of the conflict,” calling on “all parties to exercise maximum restraint and reduce tensions.”
Pakistan on Saturday strongly condemned Israel’s overnight airstrikes on Iran, calling them a grave violation of the UN Charter and international law.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said Israeli military strikes breach the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran, undermine efforts for regional peace and stability, and also constitute a dangerous escalation in an already volatile region.
“Israel bears full responsibility for the current cycle of escalation and expansion of the conflict,” it said.
Islamabad called on the UN Security council to play its role for international peace and security and to take immediate steps to bring an end to Israeli “recklessness” in the region and its criminal behaviour.
“The international community must also play its role for restoring regional peace and security,” Islamabad urged.
