The New York Times Live Updated Oct. 26, 2024, 3:18 a.m. ET11 minutes ago Live Updates: Israel Strikes Iran in Retaliatory Attack

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Oct. 26, 2024, 3:18 a.m. ET11 minutes ago

Live Updates: Israel Strikes Iran in Retaliatory Attack

Iran’s national air defense force said that Israel had attacked military bases in three provinces, including Tehran, causing “limited damage.”

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Oct. 26, 2024, 3:18 a.m. ET12 minutes ago

Patrick KingsleyFarnaz Fassihi and Ronen Bergman

Here are the latest developments.

The Israeli military said Saturday that it had struck Iran in response to several Iranian attacks on Israel, raising fears that a long-brewing confrontation between two of the most powerful militaries in the Middle East could escalate into an all-out war.

The military said in a statement at 2:30 a.m. that it was “conducting precise strikes on military targets in Iran” in response to more than a year of attacks on Israel by Iran and its allies across the Middle East. Just after 6 a.m., the military said the strikes had concluded.

Iranian officials appeared to downplay the impact. Iran’s national air defense force said that Israel had attacked military bases in three provinces — Tehran and two near the Iraqi border, Ilam and Khuzestan. Iranian air defenses were able limit the damage, the statement said, but it was continuing to assess.

Three news agencies run by different branches of the Iranian authorities said that the city of Tehran itself had not been hit and that civilian airports were operating normally. The blasts were close enough to the Iranian capital for them to be seen and heard by residents, bringing close to home a war that had felt remote for many.

On Saturday, Israeli officials said that more than 100 combat aircraft, including fighter jets and unmanned drones, hit roughly 20 sites in Iran, Syria and Iraq. The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the military operation, said that Israel targeted air defense systems and long-range missile production sites in Iran.

The Israeli strikes came 25 days after Iran fired waves of ballistic missiles at Israel in response to the assassinations of several officials of Iran and its allies. While Israeli air defenses intercepted many of the Iranian missiles, the attack forced millions of Israelis to take cover in bomb shelters, damaged several homes and air bases and killed a Palestinian in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

For years, Israel and Iran have fought a clandestine war in which both sides targeted each other’s interests and allies, while rarely taking responsibility for their attacks. That turned into open confrontation, as the war between Israel and Hamas, Iran’s ally in Gaza, pulled the two countries toward a direct clash.

After the Hamas-led attack in Israel a year ago unleashed Israel’s devastating war in Gaza, Iran’s other proxies in Middle East, including Hezbollah, began striking Israel in solidarity with their Palestinian ally. Israel, in turn, scaled up its attacks on Iranian interests around the region, with both sides responding in force as tensions flared at various moments.

Here’s what else to know:

Rising tensions: The conflict between the two nations spilled into the open in April after an Israeli strike killed several senior Iranian commander in Syria; later that month, Iran fired a barrage of ballistic missiles at Israel, prompting Israel to attack an Iranian military base. Tensions mounted again this summer when Israel killed Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’s political wing, during a visit to Iran. Israel also assassinated several leaders of Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese militia that had been attacking Israel across its northern border.

United States informed: The Pentagon said that Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Yoav Gallant, Israel’s defense minister, to receive updates on the strikes in Iran. Sean Savett, a spokesman for the National Security Council, said after the attack began that the United States had been informed of Israel’s plans.

Warning from Israel: The Israeli military warned Iran against further escalation, saying in a statement that it would be “obligated to respond.” Daniel Hagari, a military spokesman, said in a news conference that there were no immediate changes to the government’s civil defense orders to the public, indicating that authorities were not anticipating an attack.

Strikes in Gaza: Israel’s retaliation against Iran followed a series of strikes in Gaza on Friday that left dozens dead, according to officials from the Gaza health ministry and the World Health Organization. Residents said Israeli forces attacked without warning.

Rawan Sheikh Ahmad

Oct. 26, 2024, 3:05 a.m. ET25 minutes ago

Rawan Sheikh Ahmad

Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization said flights resumed at 9 a.m. on Saturday, after they were suspended because of the Israeli strikes, according to IRNA, Iran's state news agency.

Peter Baker

Oct. 26, 2024, 12:41 a.m. ET3 hours ago

Peter Baker

The White House expressed support for Israel’s operation, calling it targeted and proportionate, while expressing the belief that it should be the end of the direct military exchange between Israel and Iran. An official who briefed reporters said the United States would again come to Israel’s defense if Iran chooses to retaliate.

Peter Baker

Oct. 26, 2024, 12:42 a.m. ET3 hours ago

Peter Baker

The administration official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity according to the ground rules of the call, said the Israeli attack was extensive but precise. The strikes aimed to effectively deter future Iranian attacks, the official said.

What Was Hit in the Airstrikes

Israel struck air defense systems in Syria and Iraq to prevent those countries from intercepting the attacks.