The target choices indicated that Netanyahu refrained from attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities and energy infrastructure as US President Joe Biden had urged. A US official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity, said the US had worked with Israel to come up with a “proportional” response and urged Iran not to retaliate again.
Israeli fighter jets carried out airstrikes on military targets across Iran early Saturday, delivering on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vow to retaliate for a missile barrage three weeks ago and fanning fear of open conflict between the two longtime adversaries.
The Israeli Defence Forces said it “completed precise and targeted strikes against military targets”. It said fighter jets struck facilities that made missiles used over the last year against Israel, as well as surface-to-air missile arrays. Numerous explosions were reported around Tehran, and Israel’s Channel 12 reported more strikes in the city of Shiraz. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
