Live: Explosions heard in Tehran as Israel responds to ‘continuous attacks from the regime in Iran’

 An Israeli airstrike targeted some military sites in Syria’s central and southern parts early on Saturday, Syrian state news agency SANA reported.

Syrian air defense forces intercepted missiles launched by Israel “from the direction of the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights and the Lebanese territories” and shot down some of them, SANA added.

Earlier on Saturday, SANA reported explosions in the vicinity of Syria’s capital Damascus.

Israel has been carrying out strikes against Iran-linked targets in Syria for years but has ramped up such raids since the October 7 terror attack by armed group Hamas on Israeli territory.

Reuters

There are currently no reports of fire or explosions at a key Tehran oil refinery, according to Iranian state media,

“There are no reports of fire or explosions at a Tehran refinery,” Tasnim news agency reported, referring to a key oil refinery south of the capital.

AFP

 The IDF has shared a photo on social media showing their chief of staff ‘commanding’ the attack on Iran.

Israel’s strikes on Iran did not include attacking Iranian nuclear facilities or oil fields, and focused on military targets, NBC News and ABC News reported, citing an Israeli official.

Iran’s state TV said that operations at Tehran’s airports, including Imam Khomeini International airport were “normal”, after it reported several explosions around the capital.

“Operations at Imam Khomeini International Airport and Mehrabad Airport are normal and they continue to operate according to the schedule,” the state TV presenter said, citing the chiefs of Mehrabad and Imam Khomeini airports.

AFP

Syrian state TV said explosions were also heard in the Damascus countryside and central region.

Syrian air defences  said they intercepted “hostile targets” near Damascus early Saturday, state news agency SANA reported.

“Our anti-aircraft defense is confronting hostile targets in the skies around Damascus,” SANA said on Telegram after reporting “sounds of explosions” in the vicinity of the Syrian capital.

“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,” said White House National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett.

Several loud explosions were heard in Iran’s capital Tehran and the nearby city of Karaj early on Saturday, semi-official Iranian media said.

A Tehran resident told the Associated Press that at least seven explosions could be heard, which rattled the surrounding area.

The Israeli military said it is conducting “precise strikes” on military targets in Iran in response to what it called “the continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against Israel”.

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The Israeli military has confirmed it is conducting “precise strikes” on military targets in Iran.

Several loud explosions were heard in Tehran, and the nearby Karaj city early on Saturday, semi-official Iranian media said.

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