Israeli strikes on Iran are "an exercise of self-defense," says US

The White House has defended Israel's airstrikes on Iranian military targets, calling them "an exercise of self-defense" in response to Tehran's ballistic missile attack on Tel Aviv earlier this month.

The statement was issued by the US National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett after Israel launched over 100 aircraft on Iran late Friday night.

Benjamin Netanyahu's government claimed that it had targeted Iran's missile-making facilities, surface-to-air missiles, and other military targets late Friday night.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said the strikes were in response to "months of attacks" by the Iranian government, specifically citing the 200 ballistic missiles fired at Israel on October 1, 2024.

"We conducted precise strikes on military targets in Iran," said the Israeli military in a statement. 

The IDF targeted missile manufacturing facilities that "produced missiles used to attack Israel".

However, Iran has denied reports that military centres belonging to the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) in Tehran were attacked by Israel.

Citing informed sources, Tasnim news agency stated that no IRGC military centers in the west and south of the Iranian capital were targeted. 

"The loud blasts heard around Tehran were related to the activation of the air defence system against the actions of the Zionist regime (Israel) which attacked three locations outside of Tehran city," it said.

Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKIA) CEO Saeed Chalandari reassured that the airport was in a stable situation, with no security incidents reported. 

The US had previously warned Israel to avoid targeting nuclear and oil sites, which could escalate regional conflicts. 

The attack came after Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel of a more "painful response" to any future attacks.

Earlier, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian called the October 1 missile attack a decisive response, cautioning Israel not to engage in conflict.

Iraq's transport ministry suspended flights across all airports due to regional tensions.

Reacting to the attack, Iran said that it is prepared to respond to any Israeli "aggression".

"There is no doubt that Israel will face a proportional reaction for any action it takes," Tasnim quoted the sources as saying.