Israel concludes targeted airstrikes on Iran, US calls for diplomatic pressure

Israel has declared the successful completion of a major assault on Iran, following a year marked by intensified hostilities. This offensive was provoked by attacks from Iranian proxy group Hamas against Israel, escalating into a multi-front conflict that now directly involves Tehran and its various regional affiliates.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced early Saturday that its air force conducted “precise and targeted strikes against military targets in a number of areas in Iran.” The operation reportedly included strikes on missile manufacturing facilities linked to the missiles that Iran had launched at Israel over the past year. The IDF stated, “These missiles posed a direct and immediate threat to the citizens of Israel,” and emphasized the simultaneous targeting of surface-to-air missile arrays aimed at constraining Israel’s operational freedom in the skies.

IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari affirmed that the airstrikes achieved their intended objectives but did not provide immediate evidence to support this claim. As of yet, there has been no official reaction from the Iranian government regarding the Israeli strikes.

A senior U.S. administration official confirmed that the U.S. was informed about the precision airstrikes targeting military objectives outside populated areas. “The president and his national security team… worked with the Israelis over recent weeks to encourage Israel to conduct a response that was targeted and proportional,” the official stated.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Saturday, reaffirming the United States’ unwavering commitment to Israel’s security and its right to self-defense. Austin emphasized the U.S. determination to prevent any escalation of the conflict, stating, “We will be ready, and there will be consequences for Iran” should it choose to retaliate.

The Israeli military executed these airstrikes in response to multiple attacks by the Iranian regime in recent months, which included hundreds of missiles and drone strikes aimed directly at Israel. These hostilities culminated in a direct assault by Iran on April 1, following the death of senior IRGC officials in an Israeli airstrike.

In light of the escalating tensions, the U.S. has called upon nations around the world to pressure Iran to cease its aggressive actions against Israel. “Israel has made clear to the world that its response is now complete,” the U.S. official remarked.

As the situation develops, Iranian state media has attempted to downplay the impact of the airstrikes, claiming that their air defenses successfully repelled Israeli assaults. Iranian airspace was temporarily closed, halting all flights in the region, indicating a heightened state of alert in response to the strikes.

The ongoing conflict has already had devastating humanitarian consequences, with over 42,000 Palestinian deaths reported during Israel’s counteroffensive in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. Meanwhile, the situation remains tense, with the potential for further military actions looming as both sides navigate this precarious and evolving conflict.