Israel Launches Second Wave of Strikes on Iran, Sources Say
Breaking News: A source close to Israeli operations has confirmed that Israel is conducting a second wave of attacks against Iran. This follows reports of explosions in Tehran earlier Saturday morning local time, as reported by Iranian state media. A Tehran resident described to CNN waking up to distant explosions and noted a heavy presence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) throughout the city.
Related Developments: Iraq Closes Airspace, US-Israel Consultations
The unfolding situation has led to significant regional reactions:
- Iraq Airspace Closure: Iraq has temporarily closed its airspace due to security concerns, according to an official announcement from the country’s civil aviation authority. The closure is set to expire at 11:00 a.m. local time Saturday (4:00 a.m. ET). This follows a similar decision by neighboring Iran.
- US-Israel Defense Talks: US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, on Friday following the initial reports of Israeli airstrikes in Iran. While regular consultations between the two defense ministers are common, this conversation took place amidst heightened tensions in the region. The US has preemptively deployed THAAD missile defense systems to Israel in anticipation of potential Iranian retaliation.
- Israeli Security Cabinet Approval: The Israeli Prime Minister’s office confirmed that the security cabinet unanimously approved the airstrikes in a phone call several hours before the attacks commenced. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the attacks on “military targets” in Iran early Saturday morning. This decision follows weeks of internal deliberation within the Israeli security cabinet regarding the nature and scale of any potential response to Iranian missile attacks on October 1st.
Details of the Iranian Strikes and International Response
Early reports from Iran indicated explosions in Tehran, and CNN observed four civilian flights departing Tehran shortly after the strikes began, according to FlightRadar24. Iran has yet to officially comment on the attacks, but the closure of its airspace suggests a significant response is anticipated.
Israeli officials stated that the decision to strike Iranian military targets followed weeks of careful deliberation within the security cabinet. The targets selected were those “posing or potentially posing a threat,” according to one official, emphasizing a targeted approach focused on military installations. The process included consultations with US officials, including a phone call between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Joe Biden. Further details regarding the targets are expected to be released by the IDF following the conclusion of the operation.
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