Israeli airstrikes targeted Iran’s defense infrastructure and missile production facilities, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reported on Sunday, escalating tensions between Israel and Iran amidst ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated that Iran is deliberating on a response.
While Israel and Hezbollah, Iran’s ally in Lebanon, have intensified clashes over recent weeks, this latest attack raises fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East. An Israeli airstrike on Sunday reportedly killed eight civilians in a residential area of Sidon, Lebanon.
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Netanyahu described the airstrikes on Iran as precise, claiming they successfully hit defense and missile production capabilities. Israel’s military chief, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, said the attack demonstrated Israel's response capabilities, stating that they struck critical Iranian systems and are now prepared for “all scenarios.”
The long-planned strikes involved numerous fighter jets hitting targets near Tehran and in the provinces of Ilam and Khuzestan, according to Israeli sources.
Iran has not yet disclosed its planned response to the strikes, which reportedly killed four Iranian soldiers and caused extensive infrastructure damage.
The United Nations Security Council is expected to discuss the airstrikes on Monday as global leaders urge restraint. U.S. President Joe Biden called for de-escalation, emphasizing the risk of a broader Middle Eastern conflict amid ongoing Israeli-Hamas and Israeli-Hezbollah tensions.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant suggested Iran is losing control over Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, claiming they are now ineffective tools for Tehran.
However, both groups have asserted their continued military readiness, with Hamas indicating its presence in Gaza and Hezbollah confirming its command structure remains operational.
In southern Lebanon, Israel urged residents in 14 villages to evacuate northward on Sunday, and airstrikes in Sidon killed nine. At the same time, other strikes in the area resulted in 19 total casualties over the weekend, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.
Simultaneously, Hezbollah launched a missile barrage targeting the Zevulon military facility near Haifa, injuring one Israeli civilian and damaging property in the area.
