On Saturday, Iran reported that Israeli airstrikes targeting its military sites killed two Iranian soldiers. The strikes, which Israel described as “precise,” were launched in response to a missile barrage allegedly initiated by Iran on October 1. According to the Israeli military, the operation targeted various facilities, including missile manufacturing sites, surface-to-air missile arrays, and other aerial capabilities within Iran.
The airstrikes led to explosions that were heard around 2:15 a.m. in Tehran, with AFP journalists on the ground confirming the sounds of blasts. Iranian state television attributed the explosions to the “activation of the air defense system” countering the Israeli attack. The Israeli military later confirmed that their aircraft had safely returned, declaring the mission “fulfilled.”
Iran’s air force reported strikes on military bases in Tehran, Khuzestan, and Ilam provinces, which they stated caused only limited damage. The Iranian army confirmed the deaths of two soldiers due to the attacks. In response to the incident, Iran’s civil aviation authority briefly suspended flights, but operations resumed shortly afterward.
Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the strikes, stating that Iran has the “right and duty to defend itself,” referencing the United Nations Charter to assert its stance. This incident marks a significant escalation in the already tense relations between Israel and Iran, raising concerns in the international community about the potential for further conflict.
