In the most extensive military operation launched by Israel against Iran, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) on Friday carried out a large-scale airstrike in retaliation for Iran’s recent missile assault.

The retaliatory action was prompted by a missile barrage from Iran earlier this month, directed at Israeli targets.

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that the IDF deployed approximately 140 aircraft in this mission, targeting key Iranian military assets, including sites used for missile exports, drone facilities, ballistic missile systems, and air defenses.

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Reports indicate that the headquarters of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Tehran may have been among the targets.

Explosions were initially reported near Tehran and in the nearby city of Karaj, as noted by Reuters, citing local Iranian media.

In a statement on the operation, the IDF said, “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 Israel since October 7th – on seven fronts – including direct attacks from Iranian soil. Like every other sovereign country in the world, the State of Israel has the right and the duty to respond. Our defensive and offensive capabilities are fully mobilized. We will do whatever necessary to defend the State of Israel and the people of Israel.”

“I can now confirm that we have concluded the Israeli response to Iran’s attacks against Israel. We conducted targeted and precise strikes on military targets in Iran — thwarting immediate threats to the State of Israel.”

Watch IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari talk about the… pic.twitter.com/1OOss3etpV

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 26, 2024

According to sources, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have been briefed on the developments, and the U.S. government is monitoring the situation closely.

Two U.S. defense officials confirmed that Washington was informed in advance of Israel’s intention to strike Iran and emphasized that the U.S. had no involvement in the operation.

In response to the escalation, National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett commented, “We understand 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.” Savett declined to provide further details, directing inquiries to Israeli officials.

A source familiar with the ongoing operations told Fox News that the strikes were not limited to Iranian targets but also included military installations in Syria.

While Iranian media acknowledged the strikes near Tehran, the Tasnim News Agency, which has ties to the IRGC, stated that there were no fires or explosions at the key oil refinery near Tehran.

Tasnim also reported that operations at the capital’s Imam Khomeini and Mehrabad airports continued as usual, with no disruptions reported.

The recent Israeli strikes follow an October 1 missile attack on Israel, in which Iran targeted Israel with over 180 missiles, with some intercepted by U.S. defense systems.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant previously vowed a “precise and deadly” response, and Israeli Defense Forces reportedly presented a list of potential Iranian targets to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Gallant as they coordinated with other Middle Eastern allies.

The IDF’s action follows Iran’s claim that the missile strike earlier in the month was in retaliation for the deaths of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut and Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

These high-profile Iranian-backed leaders were reportedly targeted by Israel, with Nasrallah considered a major figure in the “resistance” against Israel.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei remarked that Nasrallah’s death would not go unpunished, calling him the “flag-bearer of resistance.”

No casualties were reported from Iran’s October 1 assault, but one Palestinian was killed in the West Bank.

Following the attack, the U.S. Navy released footage showing the USS Cole and USS Bulkeley deploying interceptor missiles to counter Iranian missiles.

Earlier this year, Iran launched an attack involving around 300 missiles and drones, which led to an Israeli strike on Iran’s air defenses, including part of its S-300 air defense system.

In light of these heightened hostilities, the U.S. bolstered Israel’s defenses by deploying a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and approximately 100 personnel to operate it.

As Israeli airstrikes continue, the operation underscores the escalating hostilities between the two countries, with Israel maintaining its stance that it will take necessary steps to defend its nation and citizens.

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