Kumar Bahukhandi
Israel says strikes are response to Iran attacks; Iran says it is a clear violation of UN Charter
Israel pounded Iran ran with a series of airstrikes early Saturday (October 26, 2024), saying it was targeting military sites in retaliation for the barrage of ballistic missiles he Islamic Republic fired upon Israel on October 1, 2024, in which around 200 ballistic missiles were fired at Israel, Iran’s second direct attack on Israel in six months.
Iran said its air defences had successfully countered the attack but two soldiers were killed and some locations suffered “limited damage”.
“United States President Joe Biden was updated throughout the day on Friday (October 25, 2024) as the operation was developing and by his national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, as the operation was carried out by the Israelis,” an Israeli official said.
Several Muslim majority nations including Saudi Arabia and Iraq, condemned Israel’s action.
Follow the live updates here:
- October 26, 2024 17:43
Jordanians are ‘boiling with anger’
A cross-border attack in October by two young Jordanians against Israeli soldiers is a sign of deep anger at the war in Gaza in a country with strong ties to the Palestinians.
“Jordanians are boiling with anger, this is undeniable,” said Oraib Rantawi, head of the Amman-based Al Quds Center for Political Studies. The attackers, who were killed in a firefight south of the Dead Sea last week that lightly wounded two Israeli soldiers, were members of the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan, although the Islamist group said they acted independently. –AFP
- October 26, 2024 17:41
Concluded Israeli response to Iran’s attacks: IDF Spokesperson
- October 26, 2024 17:19
Attack on Iran police convoy kills 10 officers, local media report
An attack in Iran’s restive southeast killed 10 members of the country’s national police force Saturday, local media reported.
The semiofficial ISNA, Mehr and Tasnim news agencies all reported the fatalities in the attack in Gohar Kuh, some 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) southeast of the Iranian capital, Tehran.
An earlier report on the state-run IRNA news agency described the convoy as being attacked by “miscreants,” without elaborating.
Authorities identified no immediate suspects for the attack, nor did any group claim responsibility. The assault came after Israel launched a major attack across Iran early Saturday morning. – AP
- October 26, 2024 17:12
Hezbollah says it launches drone strike at Israeli airbase
Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah group said on Saturday that it launched a drone attack against Israel’s Tel Nof airbase, south of Tel Aviv, and had also targetted an intelligence base in the northern Israeli city of Safed with a rocket salvo. – Reuters
- October 26, 2024 17:10
Israeli aircraft targeted facilities that Iran used to fire missiles at Israel: Israeli military said
The Israeli military said its aircraft targeted facilities that Iran used to make the missiles fired at Israel as well as surface-to-air missile sites. There was no immediate indication that oil or missile sites were hit — strikes that would have marked a much more serious escalation — and Israel offered no immediate damage assessment. – AP
- October 26, 2024 17:02
Russia says fears ‘explosive escalation’ after Israeli strikes on Iran
Russia voiced concerned about an “explosive escalation” in hostilities between Israel and Iran on Saturday, after Israel bombed military targets in the Islamic republic.
“We urge all parties involved to exercise restraint, stop the violence and prevent events from developing into a catastrophic scenario,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, warning of an “explosive escalation” – AFP
- October 26, 2024 15:56
Gulf warns over Israeli ‘escalation’
Saudi Arabia led Gulf warnings on Saturday of Israeli “escalation”.
Qatar, a mediator trying to end the Gaza war, expressed in a foreign ministry statement its “deep concern about the serious repercussions that may result from this escalation” by Israel on Saturday.
The United Arab Emirates also condemned Israel’s targeting of Iran and voiced “deep concern” for the “repercussions on regional security and stability”.
Oman, which has long played a mediating role between Iran and Western countries, said Israel’s attack on Iran “fuels the cycle of violence and undermines efforts” to de-escalate.
Kuwait’s foreign ministry also expressed condemnation and accused Israel of “endangering the security of the region”. – AFP
- October 26, 2024 15:40
Israel’s opposition leader says the military should’ve hit Iran harder
Israel’s opposition leader Yair Lapid praised the work of the military but said Israel should have struck harder.
“The decision not to attack strategic and economic targets in Iran was wrong. We could and should have exacted a much heavier price from Iran,” Mr. Lapid wrote in a post on X, adding that the air force actions showed its operational capabilities, and that Israel’s enemies know that its military is strong and can attack anywhere.
- October 26, 2024 15:38
Iran vows response to Israel’s strikes
Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the Israeli attacks on military bases and said Iran will respond.
A statement by the Foreign Ministry called the attacks a clear violation of international law and the UN Charter, particularly regarding the prohibition against threats or the use of force against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of nations.
The ministry emphasised Iran’s inherent right to self-defence, as reflected in Article 51 of the UN Charter, saying it has an obligation to respond to foreign aggression.
- October 26, 2024 15:37
Over 2,600 killed in Israel strikes so far: Lebanon
Lebanon’s Health Ministry says the total toll over the past year is over 2,600 killed and 12,200 wounded. The fighting in Lebanon has driven 1.2 million people from their homes, including more than 400,000 children, according to the United Nations children’s agency.
Israel’s offensive in Gaza has killed over 42,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities. The Israel-Hamas war began after Hamas-led militants on October 7, 2023, blew holes in Israel’s security fence and stormed in, killing some 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and abducting 250 others. – AP
- October 26, 2024 14:01
Iraq condemns Israel, calls for ceasefire in Gaza, Lebanon
A statement from Iraq’s Prime Minister’s Office reads:
Israel “continues its aggressive policies and expansion of conflict in the region, employing blatant acts of aggression without deterrence. This time, its hand of aggression has targeted the Islamic Republic of Iran through an airstrike on Iranian targets early this morning.
The statement said Iraq “reiterates its firm stance calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, and for comprehensive regional and international efforts to support stability in the region”.
- October 26, 2024 13:59
Pakistan condemns Israel
Pakistan’s foreign office has released a statement on Israel targetting Iran.
“Pakistan strongly condemns Israel’s strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran. These strikes undermine path to regional peace and stability and also constitute a dangerous escalation in an already volatile region.
Israel bears full responsibility for the current cycle of escalation and expansion of the conflict. We call on the UN Security council to play its role for the maintenance of international peace and security, and to take immediate steps to bring an end to Israeli recklessness in the region and its criminal behaviour.”
- October 26, 2024 13:57
Israel army blows up houses in border village: Lebanon state media
- October 26, 2024 13:56
Hamas strongly condemns Israeli strikes on Iran
“We… condemn in the strongest terms the Zionist aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the targeting of military sites in several provinces”, the Hamas movement said in a statement, calling the move “a blatant violation of Iranian sovereignty and an escalation that threatens the security of the region”.
- October 26, 2024 13:56
Iran says two dead in Israeli strikes on military targets
Iran’s armed forces have confirmed that two soldiers were killed in the strikes. The Islamic Republic has said the strikes caused “limited damage”. – AFP
- October 26, 2024 12:46
Emirati airline FlyDubai cancels flights to Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Israel
“Emirati airline FlyDubai cancelled flights to Jordan, Iran, Iraq and Israel and diverted others on Saturday (October 26, 2024),” a company spokesperson said, shortly after Israel struck military targets in Iran.
– Reuters
- October 26, 2024 12:24
Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli strikes on Iran
- October 26, 2024 12:22
British PM Starmer says Iran should not respond to Israeli strikes
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Saturday (October 26, 2024) Iran should not respond to a wave of Israeli strikes, urging restraint on all sides.
Earlier on Saturday (October 26, 2024), Israel struck military sites in Iran, saying it was retaliating against Tehran’s strikes on Israel this month, the latest attack in the escalating conflict between the heavily armed rivals.
“I am clear that Israel has the right to defend itself against Iranian aggression. I’m equally clear that we need to avoid further regional escalation and urge all sides to show restraint. Iran should not respond,” he said, speaking at a press conference in Samoa, where he has been attending a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
– Reuters
- October 26, 2024 11:48
Iraq announces resumption of flights in all airports, State news agency says
Iraq announced the reopening of its airspace and the resumption of flights, State news agency INA reported on Saturday (October 26, 2024), citing the Ministry of Transportation, following a brief suspension that it had attributed to regional tensions.
– Reuters
- October 26, 2024 10:44
U.S. urges Iran to ‘cease attacks’ on Israel to break cycle of fighting
The United States urged Iran on Saturday (October 26, 2024) to stop attacking Israel to break the cycle of violence after Israel launched strikes against the Islamic republic in retaliation for a missile barrage.
“We urge Iran to cease its attacks on Israel so that this cycle of fighting can end without further escalation,” U.S. National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett told reporters.
“Their response was an exercise in self-defense and specifically avoided populated areas and focused solely on military targets, contrary to Iran’s attack against Israel that targeted Israel’s most populous city,” he added.
Stressing that the United States did not participate in the operation, he said “it is our aim to accelerate diplomacy and de-escalate tensions in the Middle East region”.
– AFP
- October 26, 2024 09:59
Israel reports successful retaliatory strike on Iran
“The retaliatory strike has been completed, and its objectives have been achieved. Our planes returned safely after striking military targets in Iran. These included missile manufacturing facilities used by Iran in its attacks on the state of Israel over the past year,” says the Israel military.
– Reuters
- October 26, 2024 09:55
Should complete exchange of fire; warns against retaliation: U.S.
The White House indicated that Israel’s strikes on Iran should end direct exchange of fire between the two enemy countries, while warning Tehran of “consequences” should it respond.
A senior White House official said the administration believed the Israeli operation should “close out” the direct military exchange between Israel and Iran, and said other allies were in agreement.
“United States President Joe Biden was updated throughout the day on Friday (October 25, 2024) as the operation was developing and by his national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, as the operation was carried out by the Israelis,” the official said.
The official, who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House, said the Israeli operation “was extensive, it was targeted, it was precise.” The official underscored that the U.S. had no involvement in the strike.
– AP
- October 26, 2024 09:31
Biden encouraged Israel to maintain targeted, proportional response: official
“U.S. President Biden worked with Israelis over recent weeks to encourage Israel to conduct a targeted and proportional response with low risk of civilian harm and that appears to be what happened,” said senior administration official.
– Reuters
- October 26, 2024 09:07
Concluded Israeli response to Iran’s attacks: IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari
- October 26, 2024 08:30
U.S., Israeli officials say three waves of strikes on Iran took place
U.S. and Israeli officials have said that three waves of strikes on Iran took place, an Axios reporter posted on X early on Saturday (October 26, 2024), adding that the second and third waves focused on missile and drone bases and production sites.
– Reuters
- October 26, 2024 08:25
Iran cancels flights on all routes until further notice: IRNA
A spokesperson for Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization said flights on all routes have been cancelled until further notice, the country’s state news agency IRNA reported on Saturday (October 26, 2024).
– Reuters
- October 26, 2024 07:40
Iran prepared to respond to Israeli ‘aggression’, semi-official agency says
Iran is prepared to respond to any Israeli “aggression”, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency said on Saturday (October 26, 2024), citing sources.
“There is no doubt that Israel will face a proportional reaction for any action it takes,” Tasnim quoted the sources as saying.
– Reuters
- October 26, 2024 07:14
Not targeting nuclear or oil facilities, says Israeli officials
Two Israeli officials say Israeli strikes on Iran on Saturday (October 26, 2024) are not targeting nuclear or oil facilities.
– AP
- October 26, 2024 07:12
Pentagon chief speaks with Israeli counterpart: U.S. defense official
“U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held a call on Friday (October 25, 2024) with his Israeli counterpart,” Yoav Gallant, a U.S. defense official said, after Israel announced strikes on targets in Iran.
The U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not immediately provide details on Mr. Austin and Mr. Gallant’s conversation, including what they discussed, how long the call was or what time it took place.
– Reuters
- October 26, 2024 07:09
Four further explosions heard in Tehran, Iranian media say
Four further explosions were heard in eastern Tehran on Saturday (October 26, 2024), local media said, adding that “air defence is still active” in the capital.
– Reuters
- October 26, 2024 06:57
Iraq suspends flights until further notice due to regional tensions: INA
Iraq’s transport ministry suspended flights across all airports until further notice “due to regional tensions,” the Iraqi state news agency INA reported after the Israeli military said it conducted strikes against Iranian military targets early on Saturday (October 26, 2024).
– Reuters
- October 26, 2024 06:40
IDF Chief, Lieutenant leads Iran strike from Camp Rabin command center
- October 26, 2024 06:34
Loud explosion echoes through Tehran
In Tehran, the Iranian capital, the sound of explosions could be heard, with State-run media there initially acknowledging the blasts and saying some of the sounds came from air defense systems around the city.
A Tehran resident told The Associated Press that at least seven explosions could be heard, which rattled the surrounding area. The resident spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.
International flights began diverting around western Iran as news of the strikes broke, flight-tracking data showed.
– AP
- October 26, 2024 06:18
Israeli airstrike attacks Syrian military targets, SANA says
An Israeli airstrike targeted some military sites in Syria’s central and southern parts early on Saturday, Syrian state news agency SANA reported.
Syrian air defense forces intercepted missiles launched by Israel “from the direction of the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights and the Lebanese territories” and shot down some of them, SANA added.
Earlier on Saturday, SANA reported explosions in the vicinity of Syria’s capital Damascus.
-Reuters
- October 26, 2024 06:05
U.S. notified by Israel ahead of its strikes in Iran, official says
The United States was notified by Israel ahead of its operation against targets in Iran, a U.S. official told Reuters on Friday, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The official added there was no U.S. involvement in the Israeli operation.
-Reuters
- October 26, 2024 06:02
‘Israel’s defensive and offensive capabilities are fully mobilised’: IDF
- October 26, 2024 06:01
Explosions heard in Iran, Syria as Middle East braces for Israeli retaliation
Loud explosions were heard in Iran and near Syria’s capital early on Saturday, state media in both countries said, the possible start of an awaited response by Israel to a Iran’s ballistic-missile barrage.
Iran’s state TV said several strong explosions were heard around the capital Tehran, but there was no official comment about the source of explosions. Semi-official Iranian media said explosions were also heard in the nearby city of Karaj.
-Reuters
- October 26, 2024 05:58
Israel launches retaliatory strikes on military targets in Iran
Israel launched airstrikes early Saturday (October 26, 2024) targeting what it described as military targets in Iran in retaliation for a ballistic missile assult on October 1, officials said. There was no immediate information on damage in the Islamic Republic.
Israel’s military described the attack as “precise strikes on military targets in Iran,” without immediately elaborating.
