Israel launches 'precise strikes' targeting Iran's military, two soldiers killed

Israel on Oct 26 morning launched "precise strikes" targeting Iran's military in response to the Oct 1 missile attack from Tehran during which it fired nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel.

The attack claimed the lives of two soldiers, reported Iranian state news agency.

“The army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in defending Iran’s security and protecting the people and Iran’s interests, sacrificed two of its fighters while countering projectiles from the criminal Zionist regime,” a statement from the Iranian army said as cited by Reuters.

Israel's military confirmed that it has completed its strike on the military facilities in Iran.

"In response to months of continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against the State of Israel, the IDF is conducting precise strikes on military targets in Iran," the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement.

Israeli officials stated that these strikes were measures of self-defense. IDF's spokesperson Daniel Hagari also urged Israeli citizens to “remain alert and vigilant.”

Although Iranian state media IRNA confirmed that several strong explosions were heard around Tehran, there was no official comment about the source of the explosions.

IRNA said the explosions were heard because of the activation of air defense systems.

"The loud blasts heard around Tehran were related to the activation of the air defense system against the actions of Zionist regime which attacked three locations outside of Tehran city," Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

The US confirmed that the White House was notified right before Israel carried out air strikes on Iran while clarifying that no US personnel or assets were involved in the operation.

"This is an exercise of self-defense and in response to Iran's ballistic missile attack against Israel," Sean Savett, said the spokesperson for the White House National Security Council.

In addition to Tehran, residents in the city of Karaj also reported hearing blasts. Iranian authorities have maintained that crucial locations such as Imam Khomeini International Airport, Mehrabad Airport, and a prominent oil refinery south of Tehran were unaffected by the strikes.

According to Iran's Fars News Agency, several military bases near Tehran were reportedly targeted by Israeli forces.

Lately, Israel has escalated its operations against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon — both of which are allies of Iran.

The brutal assault by Israel intensified following Hamas' Oct 7 attack last year, which is termed as the deadliest attack in its history.

Earlier this week, Israel's defense minister warned that any attempt to harm Israel would result in a “heavy price.”

Many countries, especially the United States have been supporting Israel, terming its attacks as the country's right to defend itself.