RECAP: WWIII fears as explosions are heard in Iraq after Israel launched bombing campaign on Iranian military targets
By MELISSA KOENIG FOR DAILYMAIL.COM and DAN WOODLAND
Published: | Updated:
Explosions were heard across Tehran as the Israeli military announced they launched retaliatory strikes in the region.
IDF forces said they were conducting 'precise strikes' on military targets in Iran in response to what it called 'the continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against Israel'.
Explosions were also reported in Iraq and Syria.
It announced hours later that the strikes were 'completed' and 'the mission was fulfilled.'
The Middle East has been on edge in anticipation of Israeli retaliation for Iran's attack on October 1, in which around 200 ballistic missiles were fired at Israel in Iran's second direct attack on Israel in six months.
Follow MailOnline's live coverage here for the latest updates.
Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin speaks to Israeli counterpart
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held a phone call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant following the airstrikes.
Austin emphasized the Pentagon’s bolstering of regional U.S. forces 'in the face of threats from Iran and Iran-backed terrorist organizations,' said Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder, a Pentagon spokesman.
A summary of the call said the US is determined 'to prevent any actor for exploiting tensions.'
Iran says attacks caused 'limited' damage
Iranian officials said the Israeli attacks only caused 'limited damage' in a number of areas.
They said Israel 'attacked parts of military centers in the provinces of Tehran, Khuzestan and Ilam,' according to state news agency IRNA.
Officials also claimed 'the attack has been successfully intercepted and countered' by Iran’s 'integrated air defense system.'
Israel would be 'obligated to respond' if Iran retaliates, IDF spokesman says
As he announced the end of the Israeli airstrikes on Iran, IDF Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari warned that if Iran retaliates, Israel would be 'obligated to respond.'
'Our message is clear: All those who threaten the state of Israel and seek to drag the region into a wider escalation will pay a heavy price,' he said in a video posted to X.
'We demonstrated today that we have both the capability and the resolve to act decisively, and we are prepared on offense and defense, to defend the state of Israel and the people of Israel.'
Strikes are over, Israel's military says
The Israeli Defense Forces have announced that it has completed its 'precise and targeted strikes.
'Our planes have safely returned home," the Israeli military said in a statement. 'The retaliatory strike has been completed and the mission was fulfilled.'
Israel had reportedly roughly 20 sites over the course of the night, according to the New York Times.
Israel hit Iran with three waves of attacks
US and Israeli officials said Israel hit Iran with three waves of strikes Saturday morning.
The first focused on Iranian air defense systems, while the second and third focused on missile and drone bases as well as production sites, according to Axios reporter Barak Ravid.
Explosions heard in Iraq
Some explosions have been reported in Iraq, Al-Mayadeen reported.
It said its correspondent reported explosions on the outskirts of Diyala and Salah al-Din.
Iran claims it shot down missiles
Iranian state media has reported that its air defenses have 'successfully shot down adversarial targets in the airspace around Tehran province,' according to Al Jazeera.
Footage of the interception appears to have been posted online as well.
Israeli strikes to last 'several more hours'
Israel's strikes on Tehran are expected to last 'several more hours,' an unidentified source told CNN.
The Israeli military started bombing the Iranian capital early Saturday morning local time, with Iranians reporting they have heard the sounds of explosions.
It remains unclear what targets have been hit, and where any further bombs may strike.
TOP STORIES
Shocking moment girls aged 15, 16 and 17 surround 75-year-old man in the street and beat him to death while filming on mobile phone - as they admit killing
Miracle escape of 'seat 11A' as British SURVIVOR is seen WALKING AWAY from Air India crash jet on local TV, after police said they feared all 244 on board Gatwick-bound flight had died
Jay Slater's friend Lucy Law reveals what he told her on night he disappeared as bombshell new claims emerge over British teen's Tenerife death
Horror as Gatwick-bound Air India jet with 242 on board including 53 Brits crashes just seconds after take-off - with flaming debris and billowing smoke seen near Ahmedabad Airport
Narinder Kaur faces Laurence Fox at court as he prepares to stand trial 'for sharing upskirt photo of TV star'
Ex BBC DJ branded 'Jimmy Savile of trolling' after tormenting Jeremy Vine and driving another victim to the brink of suicide is freed early from prison
Celebrity wellness guru Jamie Meek and his husband are feared to have died in Air India plane crash as influencer's family say they are devastated
How Boeing whistleblower died from 'self-inflicted gunshot wound' after raising safety fears at Dreamliner factory
Girl, three, died when mini-tornado blew trampoline she was jumping on into the air, inquest hears
Trump's brutal message to actors who boycotted his Kennedy Center appearance as president and Melania attend Les Miserables
Experts float 'most likely' theory on cause of Boeing 787 crash that killed 242 people - including 53 Brits - just after it took off in India headed for Gatwick
Revealed: Air India pilot's desperate mayday call seconds before devastating crash as experts raise fears wing flaps 'didn't look right' amid hunt for second black box
The Brits on board doomed Air India crash: Couple and daughter, four, wellness influencers and award-winning hotel manager with his family are among passengers feared dead in Ahmedabad tragedy
Beloved TV icon stuns fans by coming out as MAGA supporter after posing with Sarah Sanders
Passenger's chilling video 'shows "nothing working" from air con to TV screens on doomed Air India jet hours before Gatwick-bound flight crashed in deadly fireball'
'No survivors expected' in Air India plane disaster - and yet more people on the ground were killed by fireball when Gatwick-bound jet with 244 on board crashed into medical college and exploded, police say
Little Britain - in a remote corner of Saudi Arabia! What life is like for expat women living in desert compounds while their husbands help build a futuristic $500 billion city
RICHARD EDEN: Prince Harry and Meghan have dropped their biggest hint yet about a return to royal life
'Anti-migrant' tensions come to a head in Northern Ireland as leisure centre sheltering families who fled Ballymena chaos is set on fire - while riot police battle yobs and terrified locals put up signs showing their nationality
I was excited to come to Australia on a working holiday visa - but here's what they DON'T tell you
The pensioner who lost her home to gang of foreign squatters: Woman in her 80s returned home to find 'Eastern Europeans' had taken her house... and police say they can't help
Home overgrown by trees, weeds and ivy is finally cleared up after 40 years in the undergrowth
'Killer' dad who 'strangled his three gorgeous daughters to death' hides a chilling secret, brother reveals
Alex Murdaugh's son Buster's 'bitter' life in isolation and the source of fury at his father that has nothing to do with the murders
Terrifying new footage shows Air India jet take off then fall from the sky seconds later as it seems to lose power... before exploding in deadly fireball
TikTok star Emilie Kiser wasn't home when toddler son drowned
Married Catholic school teacher's jaw drops as she learns her prison sentence for having sex with student
Voters reveal Trump's latest approval rating as LA riots mayhem shakes the nation
Pictured: The pilots and crew of ill-fated Air India jetliner that crashed just moments after take-off
Chaos as Silver Airways suddenly halts operations and warns ticketholders not to come to the airport
Trump reveals the four rules he gave Barron growing up: 'That last one I don't say too strongly'
Jeremy Clarkson fans divided after pub visitor shares receipt for Sunday roasts at The Farmer's Dog
Trump sticks it to both Elon Musk AND Gavin Newsom with move to 'save' auto industry
The women who were too much for Jeremy Clarkson: The aunt-and-niece duo who sneered at his Farmer's Dog pub enjoy the high life in the Cotswolds after parting company with TV star over THOSE umbrellas
Polish nursery worker accused of abusing 24 toddlers was 'sleep deprived from smoking cannabis and staying up late with her boyfriend', court hears
Family's tragic final selfie: Doctor couple and their children snapped photo in Air India cabin to celebrate 'new beginnings' just moments before disaster
Anti-migrant rioters shouting 'f*** off foreigners!' storm house in Ballymena and set it on fire as terrified locals put up signs showing nationality and refuge centre sheltering families is torched
John Fetterman snubs wife Gisele on their own wedding anniversary as he dines with MAGA power player
Meltdown in Milan! Tourist throws herself on the floor after being told her hand luggage was too heavy
Panicked final words of pilot moments before plane crash that killed six including dad and three sons
Tragedy as South Korean model Kim Jong Suk plunges to his death from apartment block aged 29 as family reveals he had lost life savings in an 'investment scam'
Trump gives ominous warning as Pete Hegseth authorizes major military move in the Middle East
ICE Barbie Kristi Noem's LA riots press conference descends into chaos as Democrat Senator Alex Padilla is thrown out
Revealed: How Harry is the 'spare in his relationship' as the prince struggles to carve out a career for himself following the Sentebale debacle
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Disneyland family photo sparks wild conspiracy theories: Royal fans claim children were added with AI and a mystery 'disembodied' hand is holding up Lilibet
Groom's shocking reaction to his 'beautiful bride' at the altar goes viral
NASA's ruthless response to glamorous 'astronaut' who said she's headed to space
All the possible causes of Air India tragedy: From mechanical failure to pilot error
Girl, 9, has hand and wrist bitten off in horrifying Florida shark attack
Death row inmate's strange final act of defiance before he was executed for raping and murdering young mom
JetBlue flight misses RUNWAY at Boston Airport hours after Air India crash killed 244
Share or comment on this article: RECAP: WWIII fears as explosions are heard in Iraq after Israel launched bombing campaign on Iranian military targets
Most watched News videos
Embed this
Embed Most Watched Videos
Choose a theme
Dark
Light
<iframe style="width:1px;min-width:100%;height:352px" src="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/api/most-watched-videos/news/dark" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>
By embedding this you agree to our terms and conditions
Cancel
Copy code Code copied
- Terrifying new video shows Air India jet take off then drop from sky
- Air India flight with 242 on board explodes into fireball
- Passenger shows 'nothing working' on doomed Air India jet
- Astonishing footage shows survivor walking away from Air India crash
- Survivor of Air India crash seen WALKING AWAY from wreckage
- Radar shows doomed Air India's flight path
- Brit couple at airport before boarding Air India flight to Gatwick
- Katie Price shocks fans with new face
- Shocking damage of plane crash in India shortly after takeoff
- Groom faints at wedding altar in Brazil
- Videos show wreckage of horror India Air flight crash
- Rescue efforts underway after Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad
So what happened? former CIA Sonar21 says not a lot.
That was a poor effort. Very limited damage. Most of the missiles intercepted by IRAN DOME
The opinions and views expressed in the comments section are solely those of the individual users and do not represent or reflect the opinions, views, or positions of Daily Mail. Daily Mail does not endorse, support, or verify the accuracy of any user-generated content.
Not sure what else Iran could expect really.
by smiffy45 135