Israel announced the launch of “precise strikes” on military targets in Iran Saturday, in an operation that is now believed to be complete, with official Iranian media reporting several explosions around the capital and in other parts of the country.

“In response to months of continued attacks by the Iranian regime against the State of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces (Israeli Army) are currently carrying out targeted strikes on military targets in Iran,” the army said in a statement. .

Israel had sworn, following October 1 Iranian missile attack in retaliation against Israel strikes Tehran in Julyto retaliate.

“Our defensive and offensive capabilities are fully mobilized,” the Israeli army said in a statement.

Military spokesman Daniel Hagari called in a separate statement on the population to be “alert and vigilant”.

Iranian state television said on Saturday that “loud explosions” had been heard around the capital, although it did not specify the cause of the explosions. Explosions were also reportedly heard in other parts of the country, including in the city of Shiraz.

“A few minutes ago, loud explosions were heard around Tehran, the source of these noises is not yet clear,” said a state television presenter.

A AFP The journalist also heard the explosions.

Iranian media said no fires or explosions had been reported at a major oil refinery near Tehran.

Three waves of attacks

Israeli public broadcaster said on Saturday that the operation against Iran was over after three waves of strikes, although this has not yet been confirmed.

WE. and Israeli officials confirmed that three waves of strikes against Iran had taken place, one Axios The journalist posted on X early Saturday, adding that the second and third waves focused on bases and missile and drone production sites.

There have been no reports or confirmation of damage or casualties, but Iran has said it reserves the right to retaliate to Israeli “aggression”.

“There is no doubt that Israel will face a backlash proportionate to any action it takes,” the semi-official news agency said. Tasnim Iranian sources cited.

Israeli strikes against Iran have not included attacking Iranian nuclear facilities or oil fields and have focused on military targets, NBC News And ABC News reported Friday evening, citing an Israeli official.

The United States said ally Israel’s strikes on military targets in Iran were “an exercise in self-defense” following the attack earlier this month, without mentioning that Israel began the escalation with assassinations. Ismail Haniyeh, leader of Hamas in Tehran in July.

US National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said the “targeted strikes on military targets” were “a self-defense exercise and a response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Israel on October 1st.”