Israel launches airstrikes targeting Iran in retaliation for missile assault, escalating conflict in the Middle East.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Israel launched airstrikes early Saturday on military targets in Iran in retaliation for a ballistic missile assault Oct. 1, officials said. There was no immediate information on damage in the Islamic Republic.

The latest Israeli strike can further escalate the tensions as Iranian authorities have repeatedly warned it against launching an attack, saying any strike on Iran would be met with a stronger retaliation.

The Israeli military says it is carrying out "precise strikes" on Iranian military targets.The strikes are long-anticipated retaliation for an

The IDF noted that the strikes are being conducted in response to 'relentless attacks' from Iran and its proxies since October 7, adding that Israel has the 'right and the duty to respond.'

The Israel Defense Forces said it is conducting what it called “precise strikes on military targets in Iran.

Israel said it struck military sites in Iran early in retaliation for Tehran's attacks on Israel earlier this month.

Israel said it struck military sites in Iran early on Saturday in retaliation for Tehran's attacks on Israel earlier this month, the latest step in the escalating conflict between the heavily armed rivals. Iranian media reported at least two waves of multiple explosions over more than two hours in the…

Iranian state media tried to downplay the attack as it offered no further details, instead, it showed what it described as live footage of men loading trucks at a vegetable market in Tehran.