Israel attacks Iran: What is the status?

An Israeli retaliatory strike against Iran has been expected for weeks. On Saturday night, the Israeli Air Force carried out several attacks on targets in Iran. According to American and Israeli media, around 20 targets were hit in three waves of attacks. The Israeli military announced that the attacks were only aimed at military targets. The operation is now considered to be over, Israeli television stations announced.

The government in Tehran condemns the attack. Iran has "the right and the duty to defend itself against foreign aggression," the Foreign Ministry declared on Saturday afternoon, referring to the right to self-defense enshrined in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. The Iranian armed forces had previously announced that two members of the army had been killed.

Iranian media reported explosions near the capital Tehran, among other places, triggered by Iranian anti-aircraft missiles. Iranian airspace and all airports were closed to civilian traffic.

These Israeli attacks are, among other things, a reaction to the large Iranian missile attack on October 1st, in which Iran fired around 200 missiles at Israel.

So far, there is no verifiable information about the targets hit by Israel. Only the Israeli military announced that they were only military targets. There is no evidence that parts of the Iranian nuclear weapons program were hit - the focus was more on facilities of the Iranian missile program. Explosions were reported near the major cities of Shiraz and Tehran. Videos from residents show heavy anti-aircraft fire over the capital:

The "Jerusalem Post" reported that a total of more than 100 Israeli fighter planes were involved in the operation. This would have made the attack Israel's most extensive against Iran.  The first wave of attacks mainly hit Iranian anti-aircraft positions, which made it possible to carry out several waves of attacks without risk.

Israel's military warned Tehran against further attacks. "If the Iranian regime makes the mistake of initiating a new round of escalation, we are obliged to react," said military spokesman Daniel Hagari.