Iran Confirms Israeli Strikes, Reports Minor Damage to Military Sites
Iran has confirmed that it was the target of Israeli airstrikes on Sunday night, but has downplayed the extent of the damage, claiming only minor damage to military sites.
The strikes, which reportedly targeted facilities in the central and western parts of the country, are the latest escalation in a long-running shadow war between Israel and Iran.
Israeli officials have not publicly commented on the strikes. However, Israeli media outlets have reported that the attacks were in retaliation for recent attacks against Israeli ships in the Gulf of Oman, which Israel has blamed on Iran.
Iran's Response
Following the strikes, Iran's defense minister, Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, described the attacks as "minor" and "ineffective," stating that they had caused only "limited damage" to a "deserted" military site. He further emphasized Iran's commitment to safeguarding its national security and warned of potential repercussions for any future aggression.
The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning the "act of aggression," accusing Israel of "violating international law and the UN Charter." The statement also urged the international community to "condemn this dangerous act of aggression and hold the Israeli regime accountable for its actions."
Regional Tensions Rise
The recent strikes come amid heightened tensions in the region, fueled by ongoing negotiations over Iran's nuclear program and the ongoing conflict in Yemen.
The US and its allies have repeatedly condemned Iran's nuclear program, claiming that it poses a threat to regional security. Meanwhile, Iran has repeatedly denied any intention of developing nuclear weapons and insists its program is solely for peaceful purposes.
The strikes have raised concerns about a potential escalation of hostilities in the region. While Iran has pledged to respond to any future aggression, it remains unclear what form this response might take.
International observers will be closely watching the situation in the coming days to see how Iran responds to the strikes and whether the incident leads to further escalation.