By Dan Woodland
Published: 21:10 EDT, 25 October 2024 | Updated: 23:43 EDT, 25 October 2024
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Explosions have been heard across Tehran as the Israeli military announced they have launched retaliatory strikes in the region.
IDF forces said it was conducting ‘precise strikes’ on military targets in Iran in response to what it called ‘the continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against Israel‘.
It announced hours later that the strikes were ‘completed’ and ‘the mission was fulfilled.’
The Middle East has been on edge in anticipation of Israeli retaliation for Iran’s attack on October 1, in which around 200 ballistic missiles were fired at Israel, Iran’s second direct attack on Israel in six months.
Follow MailOnline’s live coverage here for the latest updates.
Israel would be ‘obligated to respond’ if Iran retaliates, IDF spokesman says
As he announced the end of the Israeli airstrikes on Iran, IDF Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari warned that if Iran retaliates, Israel would be ‘obligated to respond.’
‘Our message is clear: All those who threaten the state of Israel and seek to drag the region into a wider escalation will pay a heavy price,’ he said in a video posted to X.
‘We demonstrated today that we have both the capability and the resolve to act decisively, and we are prepared on offense and defense, to defend the state of Israel and the people of Israel.’
Strikes are over, Israel’s military says
The Israeli Defense Forces have announced that it has completed its ‘precise and targeted strikes.
‘Our planes have safely returned home,” the Israeli military said in a statement. ‘The retaliatory strike has been completed and the mission was fulfilled.’
Iran cancels all flights
All flights into Iran have been canceled until further notice, the country’s Civil Aviation Organization announced on state-media.
It had earlier issued a notice closing its airspace for several hours.
Israel hit Iran with three waves of attacks
US and Israeli officials said Israel hit Iran with three waves of strikes Saturday morning.
Explosions heard in Iraq
Some explosions have been reported in Iraq, Al-Mayadeen reported.
It said its correspondent reported explosions on the outskirts of Diyala and Salah al-Din.
Iran claims it shot down missiles
Iranian state media has reported that its air defenses have ‘successfully shot down adversarial targets in the airspace around Tehran province,’ according to Al Jazeera.
Footage of the interception appears to have been posted online as well.
Israeli strikes to last ‘several more hours’
Israel’s strikes on Tehran are expected to last ‘several more hours,’ an unidentified source told CNN.
The Israeli military started bombing the Iranian capital early Saturday morning local time, with Iranians reporting they have heard the sounds of explosions.
It remains unclear what targets have been hit, and where any further bombs may strike.
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