Israel Attacks Iranian Military Target, IDF: Ability To Attack Fully Deployed

Israeli/DOK IDF fighter jet via Wikimedia Commons

Israel retaliated against Iran on Saturday morning, by carrying out attacks on military targets in retaliation for Tehran's ballistic missile attack on Israel.

The Middle East is under anxiety in anticipation of Israel's retaliation for a ballistic missile attack carried out by Iran on October 1, in which about 200 ballistic missiles were fired at Israel, the second Iranian direct attack on Israel in six months.

"In response to the ongoing attacks carried out by the regime in Iran on the State of Israel for months", the Israeli Defense Forces are currently carrying out a precise attack on military targets in Iran, "said the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

Israel says it has the rights and obligations to respond to attacks from Tehran and its proxies, including missile attacks launched from Iran.

"The defense and attack capabilities are fully deployed," added the IDF.

Iranian state TV said several strong explosions were heard around the capital Tehran. Iranian media said explosions were also heard in the nearby city of Karaj.

The Tasnim news agency said there had been no reports of the sound of rockets or planes in Tehran's skies.

State TV quoted unnamed Iranian intelligence officials as saying the loud explosion may have come from the activation of Iran's air defense system.

Iran has repeatedly warned Israel against launching attacks, saying any attacks on Iran would be met with stronger retaliation.

The United States was notified by Israel before carrying out an attack on targets in Iran but was not involved in the operation.

"We understand that Israel carried out targeted attacks on military targets in Iran as self-defense exercises and in response to Iran's ballistic missile attack on Israel on October 1," said White House National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett.