Israel launches ‘precise strikes’ on ‘military targets’ in Iran: Statement

Israel has said it is conducting “precise strikes” on military targets in Iran in “response to months of continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against the State of Israel,” according to an Israeli army statement published early morning Saturday.

Early in the evening, several loud explosions were reported in Iran’s capital, Tehran, and the nearby city of Karaj, Iranian media said, though there was no official comment on the source of the blasts at the time.

Later, Iran’s state-linked Fars news agency reported its initial findings suggested multiple military bases west and southwest of Tehran were attacked by Israel.

A US official told Al Arabiya English that Washington is aware of reports that Israel has launched an attack against Iran and is closely monitoring the situation.

The official also said US military assets were in place ahead of tonight’s operation to prepare for potential Iranian responses.

Israel has been planning a response to a ballistic-missile barrage carried out by Iran on Oct. 1, Tehran’s second direct attack on Israel in six months.