The moment of counterattack has arrived for Israel, which since approximately 02.15 Greek time has launched airstrikes against Iran. Information speaks of simultaneous strikes in Iraq and Lebanon, while earlier there were explosions in Damascus.

In a statement issued by the IDF they state:

In response to months of ongoing attacks by the Iranian regime against the State of Israel, the IDF is currently striking military targets in Iran.

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

Like every sovereign country in the world, Israel has a right and a duty to respond,” the statement said.

The Israeli Armed Forces will do whatever is necessary to defend the state and people of Israel.

The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking… pic.twitter.com/1WpQR6itIo

In a video message, Israeli Armed Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Haggari says there are currently no changes to the instructions to citizens as Israel launches an attack against Iran.

“The IDF is fully prepared, both offensively and defensively. We are monitoring developments from Iran and its proxies in the region,” he said.

Hagari said that the situation is constantly being assessed and calls on citizens to be alert, following the instructions of the authorities.

According to information, Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister G. Gallad are watching the operation from the headquarters of the Israeli army in Tel Aviv.

Due to the Israeli attack, Iran, Iraq and Syria have cleared their airspace.

The US government was informed by Israel of the attack on Iran shortly before the operation began and had no involvement in it, a White House spokesman said.

“We understand that Israel is launching precision strikes against military targets in Iran, exercising the right to self-defense and in response to the Iranian missile attack on Israel on October 1.”White House National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said.

IDF

The Chief of the Israeli Army, General Herji Halevi, with the Chief of the Israeli Air Force, Tomer Bar

“We will not hit nuclear or oil facilities”

As Stavros Ioannidis reported, in an emergency report on SKAI TV at 02.30, the Israeli side maintains that it does not intend to hit nuclear or oil facilities, only military targets.

Ioannidis

Five explosions in Tehran and Karaj

As the Jerusalem Post reported a little earlier, citing Iranian media, five explosions were heard in Tehran and the nearby city of Karaj.

There were also reports of explosions at Iran’s Khomeini Airport.

An Axios journalist, citing sources, reported a little earlier that Israel carried out airstrikes in Iran, Reuters noted.