Media reports say Israeli strikes on Iran, in retaliation for Iran's missile attacks earlier this month, have killed five people, including four servicemen and one civilian.
The BBC and CNN report that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it targeted missile factories and other sites near Tehran and western Iran early on Saturday.
According to CNN, the US described the attack as “an exercise in self-defense” that “specifically avoided populated areas and focused solely on military targets.”
IRNA reports that Israeli strikes have killed five people, including four servicemen of the Khatam Al-Anbiya Air Defense Base — Major Hamzeh Jahandideh, Sergeant Mohammad-Mehdi Shahrokhifar, Major Sajjad Mansouri and Sergeant Mehdi Naghavi — and one civilian, Allahverdi Rahimpour.
Calling the strikes a “clear violation” of international law, Iran’s foreign ministry said in a statement that it “considers itself entitled and obligated to defend itself.” Iran's Foreign Ministry said it has a responsibility to defend itself, but added that Iran "recognizes its responsibilities towards regional peace and security."
Iran noted that its air defenses had successfully countered the strikes in three provinces – Tehran, Ilam and Khuzestan – and that the damage was “limited.”
The main focus of Saturday’s attacks was Tehran, Al Jazeera said, noting that they primarily aimed at Iran’s air defense systems, missile bases, and drone facilities.
Israeli retaliation for an Iranian barrage of almost 200 ballistic missiles fired towards Israel on 1 October had been widely expected for weeks.
Meanwhile, media reports say UN Security Council is expected to meet today over Israel’s strike on Iran. According to Reuters, the Swiss U.N. mission said the meeting had been requested by Iran with the support of Algeria, China and Russia.
