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(October 26, 2024 / JNS) — Israeli Air Force fighter jets carried out precision strikes on military targets in Iran overnight Friday, nearly a month after Tehran launched a massive ballistic missile attack on the Jewish state.

According to the Israeli military, dozens of planes, including tankers and spy planes, carried out “waves” of attacks within hours in several regions of Iran, located some 1,600 kilometers from Israel. Targets included manufacturing facilities and launch sites for missiles and drones, as well as air defense batteries.

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The official SANA news outlet reported simultaneous Israeli strikes against military targets in central and southern Syria, amid Tehran’s decades-long effort to gain a foothold in that country.

The Israeli army called the operation “Days of Repentance.”

“I can now confirm that we have concluded the Israeli response to the Iranian attacks against Israel. We carried out targeted and precise strikes on military targets in Iran, thwarting immediate threats against the State of Israel,” said Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesperson.

“The Israel Defense Forces have fulfilled their mission. If the Iranian regime made the mistake of starting a new escalation, we would be obliged to react. Our message is clear: all those who threaten the State of Israel and seek to drag the region into a broader escalation will pay a heavy price,” Hagari continued.

“We demonstrated today that we have both the capacity and the determination to act decisively, and that we are ready – on offense and defense – to defend the State of Israel and the people of Israel,” he added.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led the nighttime attack from Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, where he was later joined by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. -General Herzi Halevi, Mossad chief David Barnea and Israeli Security Agency chief Ronen. Bar.

“The Iranian regime and its regional proxies have relentlessly attacked Israel since October 7 (Hamas massacre of 1,200 people) – on seven fronts – including direct attacks from Iranian soil,” the Israeli military said. “Like all other sovereign countries in the world, the State of Israel has the right and duty to respond. »

The military was continuously assessing the situation, and there were no immediate changes to the Home Front Command’s directives regarding civilians.

Iran claimed to have successfully repelled the Israeli offensive, although acknowledging that “limited damage” had been caused to various sites. The Iranian military said Israel struck in Tehran, Khuzestan and Ilam provinces.

The Islamic Republic was ready to retaliate against the “aggression,” according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

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“There is no doubt that Israel will face a proportional backlash for any action it takes,” sources were quoted as saying by the media outlet.

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The Biden administration was informed in advance of the strikes, but the United States did not directly participate in the action.

US National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett described the development as “a self-defense exercise and response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Israel on October 1.” .

A senior administration official later said the attack “should mark the end of the direct military exchange between Israel and Iran.”

“If Iran chooses to respond, we are fully prepared to defend and support Israel, and there will be consequences,” the official added.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had a phone call Friday evening with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, although no information was provided.

US President Joe Biden had previously urged Jerusalem to desist from attacking Iranian nuclear sites and oil fields, preferring instead to launch a small-scale operation.

“No administration has helped Israel more than me – none, none, none. I think Bibi should remember that,” the president said, using Netanyahu’s nickname.

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In contrast, former President Donald Trump suggested that Iran’s nuclear infrastructure was a good thing.

“I think he was wrong on that,” the Republican presidential candidate said of Biden. “Isn’t that what you’re supposed to hit?” I mean, that’s the biggest risk we have, nuclear weapons. …The answer should have been: hit nuclear first, and worry about the rest later. »

Last week, Netanyahu stressed that the Iranian targets chosen would be “based on Israel’s national security needs.”

Reports later suggested that he had softened his stance in favor of a more limited strike due to Washington’s decision to deploy an advanced THAAD air defense system to Israel and to avoid any perception of political interference in the next US elections.

On October 1, Iran fired more than 180 ballistic missiles at Israel, forcing the Jewish state’s entire civilian population into bomb shelters. The targets of the Iranian attack are believed to be three Israeli Air Force bases, as well as an IDF military intelligence headquarters just north of Tel Aviv.

In April, Iran carried out its first-ever direct attack on Israeli territory, launching some 300 missiles and drones, the vast majority of which were shot down as part of a multinational effort.

The direct military clashes come against the backdrop of ongoing wars between Israel and Iran’s terrorist proxies, Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

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