Israel has launched a series of “precise” strikes against Iran, as reported by the Israel Defense Forces.
Local media reported multiple explosions were heard early on Saturday in and around Tehran and Karaj.
The IDF said the strikes came as the “regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking Israel since October 7th,” the day Hamas, an Iranian ally, launched its surprise cross-border invasion of Israel last year.
The explosions in Tehran mark the latest escalation in what is quickly becoming a multi-front conflict between Israel and Iran-aligned forces in the region, including Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Iran fired a barrage of missiles into Israel earlier this month.
Explosions were also heard in Damascus, Syria, though it’s unclear if these were Israeli strikes.
Key Points
Iran describes minimal damage from strikes
01:57 , Josh Marcus
Iranian state media is describing a negligible impact from Israel’s strikes on the country so far.
The IRNA news agency cited a security source claiming loud sounds heard in Tehran were caused by “defense activity in Tehran, and the air defense was successful during this incident,” according to Al Jazeera.
The agency added in a separate Telegram post that there were no reports of incidents requiring assistance and major airports were running as “normal.”
Explosions heard in Damascus: state TV
01:45 , Josh Marcus
As Israel acknowledged striking Iran overnight, explosions were also reportedly heard in Damascus, Syria, according to state TV reports cited by Reuters.
Israel has carried out strikes on the Iranian ally elsewhere in the post-October 7 conflict, including an attack widely attributed to the IDF on an Iranian consulate building in Syria in April, and a strike Thursday near Damascus.
WATCH: Israel announces ‘precise strikes’ against Iran
01:30 , Josh Marcus
Israel announced a new step in its campaign against Iran.
Here’s IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari describing the recent strikes.
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
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 25, 2024
Breaking: Israel conducting ‘precise strikes’ against Iran in Tehran
01:29 , Josh Marcus
Israel has launched a series of “precise strikes” against Iran, according to the Israeli military.
“[L]ike every other sovereign country in the world, the State of Israel has the right and the duty to respond”, due to “the regime in Iran and its proxies in the region… relentlessly attacking Israel,” since 7 October 2023, the Israel Defense Forces told the BBC.
Explosions were heard were heard early Saturday local time west of the Iranian capital of Tehran, according to local media.
At least five explosions were heard, according to Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
More details in our full story.
Israel conducting ‘precise strikes’ against Iran in Tehran
Israel’s multi-front war continues
01:28 , Josh Marcus
Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Israel’s multi-front war.
The IDF struck Iran early Saturday local time, with local media reporting multiple explosions around the capital of Tehran.
We’ll be following the latest news live.
