Iran Vows 'Proportional Reaction' After Israel Strikes Its Territory

Shortly after Israeli airstrikes targeted Iran early on Saturday, Iranian officials stated they were prepared to respond to what they described as Israeli aggression, according to Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency.

Tasnim quoted an unnamed official saying, "There is no doubt that Israel will face a proportional reaction for any action it takes."

Photo Credit: PTI

Iran had previously warned Israel that any offensive move against them would prompt retaliation.

Israeli forces confirmed they had launched several "precise strikes on military targets in Iran," in response to missile attacks from Iran on October 1.

In a statement, the Israeli military said, "The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking Israel since Oct. 7 - on seven fronts - including direct attacks from Iranian soil. Like every other sovereign country in the world, the State of Israel has the right and the duty to respond."

No confirmation has been provided on the extent of damage from the strikes. Israel has raised its defence alert in anticipation of any possible retaliation from Iran.

This series of strikes and counter-attacks is among the latest escalations in a growing conflict between Israel and several West Asian nations, with Israel focusing efforts on eliminating Hezbollah.

On Saturday, Israel also conducted airstrikes in Syria's capital, Damascus, and its surrounding areas. Since late September, it has continued raids and a ground invasion into Lebanon, aiming to target "terror bases."

Lebanon's health ministry reported that, on Friday alone, 41 people were killed and 133 injured due to Israeli strikes.

Israeli forces also faced criticism from various national leaders and the United Nations for a strike in Lebanon on Friday on a journalist compound, which led to the death of three media personnel.