Israel launches ‘precise strikes’ against Iran in late-night blitz as ‘big mistake’ escalates Middle East conflict
Iran has been rocked by a blitz of missile strikes in the early hours of Saturday morning – just weeks after Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu warned his enemy had made a “big mistake”.
The Islamic Republic had rained down missiles over Israeli cities and military targets on October 1, but now, the IDF has said it has it back with a series of “precise strikes”.
Shortly before 3am local time (12.30am in the UK), explosions were heard both in Iran and near Syria’s capital Damascus, state media in both countries said.
Just this week, Israel’s defence minister Yoav Gallant warned his country’s enemies would “pay a heavy price” for trying to harm the Jewish state.
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
Now, Israel has taken action – and is understood to have notified the White House was notified shortly before carrying out the volley of air strikes, according to Fox News.
An IDF statement in the early hours of Saturday read: “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 7 – 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.
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“Our defensive and offensive capabilities are fully mobilised.
“We will do whatever necessary to defend the State of Israel and the people of Israel.”
Just days ago, classified files came to light which had allegedly revealed Israel’s plans to hit back at Iran – with US House Speaker Mike Johnson calling the leak “very concerning”.
The files, which had circulated on social media platform Telegram a week prior, contained documents which indicated Israel was preparing a “large-force employment exercise” and “covert UAV activity, almost certainly for a strike on Iran” – concerning ballistic missiles and drones, respectively.
More to follow…