Israel strikes Iran — what we know and what’s next

(Al Jazeera Media Network) Israel has attacked Iran, killing two Iranian soldiers. It also launched simultaneous strikes on Iran-linked interests in Syria.

Israel says the campaign early on Saturday targeted military sites and was a response to attacks from “Iran and its proxies”.

Iran says it will continue defending against Israeli attacks on Gaza, Lebanon, and Iranian officials.

This is the first time Israel openly claimed an attack on Iran.

Here’s what to know about the latest strikes and what to expect next.

• On Friday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reportedly approved attack plans during a call with cabinet ministers.
• Israeli media said Israel sent a warning to Iran on Friday, cautioning against retaliation.
• Israel launched its first wave of attacks on Tehran after 2 am on Saturday (22:30 GMT on Friday).
• Three hours later, a second wave hit Tehran and the provinces of Ilam and Khuzestan, Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar reported from Tehran.
• About 6 am (02:30 GMT), Israel said it had “completed” the strikes and “achieved its objectives”.
• An Israeli army spokesperson said operation “Days of Reckoning” had attacked Iran’s “means of producing missiles” as well as missile systems and other air defence capabilities.
• Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said two of its soldiers had been killed.
• Flights across Iran resumed at 9 am (05:30 GMT) after being briefly suspended, Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization announced.
• A White House official said the US was not involved in the strikes, but that President Joe Biden was updated as attacks were developing.
• Israel has stated that all its aircraft involved in the attack on Iran had returned to Israel.
• Israel conducted airstrikes on military sites in central and southern Syria early Saturday, reported Syrian state news agency SANA, though Israel hasn’t confirmed this. Explosions were also reported in Basra, Iraq, and there was a temporary closure of Iraqi airspace. Officials later said the blasts happened across the border in Iran.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/10/26/israel-strikes-iran-what-we-know-so-far-and-whats-next