Why did Israel attack Iran and other questions about tensions in the Middle East
image Source, getty images
- Author, Tom Bennett
- Author title, bbcnews
Israel launched “precise and concentrated” airstrikes against Iran on Saturday in response to missile attacks it received from Tehran earlier this month.
It is the latest in a series of exchanges between Israel and Iran that have raised fears of regional war for months.
But while Iran says four soldiers were killed in attacks on military facilities, early indications suggest the attacks were more limited than feared.
How did the attacks happen?
At around 02:15 local time (22:45 GMT), Iranian media reported explosions in and around the capital, Tehran.
A video uploaded on social media and verified by the BBC shows Projectiles in the sky above the city.
Similarly, residents of some areas reported hearing loud explosions.
At approximately 02:30, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that they were carrying out “precision” strikes against “military targets” in Iran.
image Source, getty images
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant followed the operation from the IDF command and control center in Tel Aviv.
Shortly after 06:00, the IDF said the attacks had ended.
The White House described the attacks as an “exercise in self-defense.” A senior administration official said the United States had worked with Israel to encourage a “focused and proportionate” response.
What was the scale of the attacks?
The IDF said they attacked around 20 objectivesWhich includes missile manufacturing facilities, surface-to-air missiles and other military sites.
The Iranian military confirmed that four soldiers were killed.
Iranian officials said locations in Tehran, Khuzestan and Ilam provinces were the targets.
image Source, getty images
The country’s air defense said it “successfully intercepted” the attacks, but caused “limited damage in some areas.”
BBC Verify has identified damage to a defense ministry base east of Tehran and an air defense base in the south.
A senior US government official said the strikes did not involve Iranian oil infrastructure or nuclear facilities, targets which President Joe Biden has urged Israel not to attack.
Syrian state media also reported attacks on military facilities in central and southern Syria, although Israel has not confirmed attacks on that country.
The attacks did not involve Iranian oil infrastructure or nuclear facilities.
Why did Israel attack Iran?
Iran is the main supporter of several organizations in the Middle East – often described as proxy groups – that are hostile to Israel, including Hamas and Hezbollah, with whom Israel is currently at war.
In April, Iran launched its first direct attack on Israel, using approximately 300 missiles and drones in response to an Israeli airstrike on the Iranian embassy compound in Syria, killing several Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders.
Israel responded with a “limited” strike against a missile defense system in the Isfahan region of Iran. Tehran did not respond to that attack.
image Source, getty images
In July, Israel killed a senior Hezbollah commander in an airstrike on Beirut. The next day, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an explosion in Tehran. Iran blamed Israel, although its government did not comment.
In late September, Israel killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and a senior Iranian official, Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoshan, in Beirut.
On October 1, Iran launched 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, which it claimed was in response to the deaths of Haniyeh, Nasrallah and Nilforoshan.
What do you think could happen?
Early indications suggest the attack was not as serious as some had feared.
US media Axios reported that before the attacks, Israel had sent a message to Iran that revealed some details about the attacks and warned Tehran not to respond.
This may be a sign that Israel does not want to worsen the situation, at least for now.
“We are focused on our war objectives in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. “Iran is the one that continues to stoke broader regional tensions,” the Israeli military said in a statement.
A senior US official said that “this direct exchange of fire between Israel and Iran must end.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said it had “the right and obligation to defend itself” and described the attack as wrong. Violation of international law.
But he also said Tehran recognizes its responsibilities towards regional peace and security.
What has been the reaction of the international community?
Middle Eastern countries criticized Israel’s actions and called for a reduction in hostilities between the two countries.
united arab emirates He said he condemned Israel’s attacks and “stressed the importance of maximum self-control and decision-making to minimize risks and prevent expansion of the scale of the conflict.”
saudi arabia He described what happened as a violation of “international laws and norms” and urged all parties to exercise restraint.
Queue He expressed “strong condemnation” of the Israeli attacks, which he described as a “clear violation” of international law, and invited the parties to exercise restraint.
egypt says it is extremely concerned about escalating tensions in the Middle East, including Israeli attacks on Iran, and condemns measures that threaten regional security and stability.
image Source, getty images
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Israel had the right to defend itself, but urged all parties to “show restraint” and called on Iran not to respond.
Hamas described them as a “gross violation of Iranian sovereignty and a move that poses an increasing threat to the security of the region and its people.”
Lebanon-based terrorist group Hezbollah fired 80 shells from across the border into Israel on Saturday afternoon, according to the IDF.
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