What do we know about Israeli attacks on Iran – the Middle East and Africa

Here’s what we know:

What happened?

The Israeli army said it carried out “precision attacks on military targets in Iran” on Saturday.

Around 2:15 a.m., explosions were heard in Tehran, AFP journalists in the Iranian capital reported.

Iranian state television reported that the explosions were caused by “activation of an air defense system” in response to the Israeli attack.

The Israeli military said it simultaneously struck facilities producing missiles, surface-to-air missile systems and other “air capabilities.”

She later stated that the airstrike “completed” its response to Iran’s October 1 missile attack, stating that its warplanes returned safely and the mission had been “accomplished.”

Iran’s air force confirmed attacks on military bases in Tehran, Khuzestan and Ilam provinces that “caused limited damage.”

The army said two soldiers were killed, while civil aviation authorities announced the resumption of flights after a brief suspension.

The Foreign Ministry said Iran had the “right and obligation to defend itself,” citing the United Nations Charter.

State media in Syria reported that Israel also carried out airstrikes into its territory from the occupied Golan Heights and Lebanon

Iran and Syria are allies in the so-called “axis of resistance,” which also includes Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.

Hezbollah said it fired rockets at an intelligence base in northern Israel and drones at an air base in the south of the country. The Israeli military said about 80 missiles were fired.

Why did Israel attack?

The Israeli military said it launched the attacks “in response to months of sustained attacks” from the Islamic republic.

“The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been mercilessly attacking Israel since October 7 – on seven fronts – including direct attacks from Iranian soil,” it said.

Israel has vowed revenge against Tehran for the October 1 rocket attack.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel’s retaliation would be “lethal, precise and surprising.”

Iran fired approximately 200 ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for the killing of Tehran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah leaders and an Iranian Revolutionary Guard general.

It was Tehran’s second-ever direct attack on Israeli territory, following an April attack in retaliation for a deadly attack on Iran’s consular annex in Damascus.

Israel has been fighting Iran-backed Hamas in the Gaza Strip since an attack by the Palestinian militant group on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,206 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to Israeli official data from AFP.

The Lebanese group Hezbollah, also backed by Tehran, has fired rockets at Israel in solidarity with Hamas since the Hamas attack sparked a massive Israeli military attack in Gaza.

The world’s reaction?

The United States and Britain called for “de-escalation” after Israeli attacks on Iran, while Muslim countries blamed Israel for escalating the conflict.

White House National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said the “targeted attacks on military targets” were “self-defense exercises,” stressing that the United States was not involved.

“Our goal is to accelerate diplomacy and de-escalate tensions in the Middle East region,” he said.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on “all parties to show restraint” and Germany warned Tehran against a “massive escalation of its response.”

Russia called on both sides to stop violence, and Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned against an “explosive escalation.”

Türkiye called for an end to what it calls “Israeli terror”

Saudi Arabia condemned Israel and warned against further expansion of the conflict in the Middle East.

Syria expressed its “solidarity” with Iran, saying it supported its right to self-defense, while Iraq condemned global passivity in the face of what it called “Israel’s aggressive policy.”

Qatar, a mediator trying to end the war in Gaza, expressed “deep concern about the serious consequences that could result from this escalation” by Israel.

Oman, which has long played an intermediary role between Iran and Western countries, said the Israeli attack on Iran “fuels the cycle of violence and undermines efforts” to de-escalate.