‘Exercise of Self-Defence’: US Defends Israel as it Launches Fresh Strikes on Iran

Tel Aviv: The United States has voiced support for Israel on the latest strikes on Iran, framing the actions as acts of self-defence, as Tel Aviv retaliated with strikes on military targets in Iran in response to the massive missile attack on October 1, on Saturday.

However, a senior US administration official clarified on Friday that the United States is not directly involved in Israel's military operations against Iran.

“We understand that Israel is conducting targeted strikes against military targets in Iran as an exercise of self-defense and in response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack against Israel on October 1st. We would refer you to the Israeli government for more information on their operation,” Sean Savett, White House National Security Council spokesperson said in a statement.

US Notified Shortly Before Israel Attacked Iran: Report

As Israel launches a series of strikes on Iran targeting its military bases among other place, United States has accepted that they were informed of the operation shortly before it was conducted. According to a Reuters report quoting a US official who maintains anonymity, ‘the United States was notified by Israel ahead of its operation against targets in Iran’.  

In Tehran, the Iranian capital, the sound of explosions could be heard, with state-run media there initially acknowledging the blasts and saying some of the sounds came from air defense systems around the city. A Tehran resident told a global media agency that at least seven explosions could be heard, which rattled the surrounding area. The resident spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. Meanwhile, state media in Syria described its air defenses as targeting “hostile targets” there as well.

Inputs from agencies