Israel attacks Iran; explosions also reported in Syria and Iraq

“The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking Israel since October 7th—on seven fronts—including direct attacks from Iranian soil,” Hagari added. “Like every other sovereign country in the world, the state of Israel has the right and the duty to respond. Our defensive and offensive capabilities are fully mobilized. We will do whatever [is] necessary to defend the state of Israel and the people of Israel.”

Iran said it launched the October 1 missile attack in retaliation for Israel’s targeted killing of longtime Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, the longtime leader of Hezbollah and an IRGC commander who was with him; as well as for the July assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

If the Syrian and Iraqi explosions are confirmed as Israeli strikes, it would mean that Israel is simultaneously attacking at least five nations—Palestine, Lebanon, Iran, Syria, and Iraq. In Palestine, the IDF is waging a yearlong war which has killed or wounded more than 153,000 people. Israel’s bombardment and ground invasion of Lebanon have killed or wounded thousands of people and displaced more than 1.2 million others.

U.S. officials told media outlets that the Biden administration was informed of Saturday’s attacks.

Meanwhile, peace groups in the U.S. warned of the risk of escalation.

“The U.S. should stay out of the conflict between Israel and Iran,” Massachusetts Peace Action executive director Brian Garvey said in a statement. “Israel is bombing Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen—picking a fight with almost every one of its neighbors—while escalating its genocide in Gaza.”

“The U.S. should not provide assistance for Israel’s escalations, which would contravene President [Joe] Biden’s stated goal of preventing a wider regional conflict,” he continued. “Israeli Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu has long sought to embroil the U.S. in war with Iran, and his efforts to do so now are likely timed to influence the U.S. election.”

“The United States should avoid that trap, stop sending weapons into the region, and support urgent talks for ceasefires in Gaza, Lebanon, and between Israel and Iran,” Garvey added.