Tel Aviv/Tehran — On Tuesday, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed they conducted “precision military strikes” near Tehran to strike at “critical infrastructure used by Iran’s military command and weapons networks.” This announcement marked a significant escalation in their ongoing dispute, deepening into Iranian territory for the first time in over 10 years.
According to an IDF statement released early Tuesday morning, its strikes aimed to disrupt Iranian operations responsible for recent missile and drone attacks against Israel targets. Our forces conducted limited but strategic operations within Tehran in order to neutralize immediate threats posed by Iran’s military apparatus,” it stated.
Israel did not specify its targets in Tehran; however, local media and eyewitness accounts from Iran reported hearing multiple explosions near Mehrabad area and around military complexes west of Tehran. Some videos shared on social media showed plumes of smoke rising above Tehran cityscape, though Iranian authorities have yet to assess any damage or assess injuries.
Iranian state media acknowledged the violation of Iranian airspace by foreign drones but maintained the attacks were minor and intercepted by Iranian air defense systems. A statement issued by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) dismissed Israel’s operation as “failed aggression,” promising a strong and swift response: “Zionist regime has crossed our redline – our response will be measured both in pain and precision!” said IRGC in their declaration.
Israel made history on Thursday by acknowledging its first public admission to conducting strikes within Tehran despite international warnings against it. Recently, Israeli was on high alert following rocket and drone attacks by Iranian-backed militias based out of Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq aimed at targeting Israeli civilians.
Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised address that the strikes were necessary to protect Israeli citizens, warning of potential follow-on strikes against Iran and their operations from wherever they operate. “We will not wait for another attack on our soil to act; wherever Iran operates from, we will reach them,” Netanyahu stated.
The global response was swift. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres quickly called for an emergency session of the Security Council, calling for restraint and warning that the region is “on the brink of much wider war”. Israel’s key ally – the US – expressed concern at spiraling conflict but did not condemn Israeli’s strike, saying instead: “Israel has the right to defend itself,” according to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller who noted diplomacy should remain the priority.
Russia and China, both of whom maintain close economic ties to Iran, strongly condemned Israel’s action, calling it a violation of international law. Moscow summoned Israel’s ambassador for urgent consultations.
Markets reacted swiftly, sending oil prices soaring on fears of supply disruption in the Persian Gulf. Analysts cautioned that any further hostilities could destabilize global energy flows and further fuel inflation.
Within Iran, security forces were placed on high alert and air defenses activated across multiple cities. Tension remains high in Tehran as residents anticipate further strikes or attacks to retaliate against Iran’s strike attacks.
As Israel and Iran exchange threats and military actions, diplomatic prospects seem ever less promising. Now that their conflict has entered a potentially more deadly phase, international observers warn that peace may soon become impossible to attain.
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