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Israel strikes military targets in Iran in reprisal attack
(www.theguardian.com)
In addition to information
The Israeli military said its strikes hit Iran's missile manufacturing facilities, missile arrays and other systems in several regions. Iran confirmed an Israeli attack had targeted military sites in the capital Tehran and other parts of the country, but said it had caused "limited damage".
Israel had vowed to hit back at Iran for its October 1 missile strike, the second-ever direct attack by the Islamic republic on its arch-foe. The rapid escalation of violence has heightened fears across the region and beyond of a wider war, pitting Israel against Iran and the allies it dubs the "axis of resistance" on multiple fronts.
In a statement announcing the operation, the Israeli military said it was conducting "precise strikes on military targets in Iran", in response to what it said were "months of continuous attacks from the regime in Iran".
Iran on Saturday suspended all flights until further notice, the aviation authority announced.
Iran had in recent weeks warned that any attack on its infrastructure would provoke an "even stronger response", while Revolutionary Guards general Rassul Sanairad said an attack on nuclear or energy sites would cross a red line.
The United States was "informed beforehand and there is no US involvement," a US defence official told AFP, on condition of anonymity. The official did not say how far in advance the United States had been informed or what had been shared by Israel.
Syrian state news agency SANA said Israel conducted an air attack on Saturday from the occupied Golan Heights and Lebanon, targeting military positions in Syria. Citing an unnamed military source, the agency said the attack at around 2:00 am (2300 GMT) had targeted positions in central and southern Syria. The attack prompted Syria to activate its air defences, SANA said, as Israel announced it was launching "precision strikes" in neighbouring Iran.
Iran and Syria are allies in the so-called "axis of resistance" that also includes Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.
Iraq suspended all air traffic Saturday at its airports until further notice after Israel its attack.