Israeli fighter jets launched pre-dawn strikes on Iranian radar systems in and around Tehran as well as in the provinces of Ilam and Khuzestan, sparking heightened tensions across the region. Israel’s military released audio of the mission, depicting the operation as a powerful display of the country’s military reach.
The IDF’s release included a radio communication exchange between Israeli Air Force Chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar and the commander of the 201st Squadron, Lt. Col. “Shin.” During the communication, Bar commended the squadron, describing the operation as a “historic action” that demonstrated “no enemy is too far away.”
Iran’s General Staff of the Armed Forces responded swiftly, stating that the Israeli jets, which reportedly approached via Iraqi airspace, launched a series of long-range, airborne ballistic missiles targeting Iran’s radar systems. According to Iran, its air defenses were able to intercept several missiles before they reached their targets, causing “limited damage” to radar systems. A statement aired on Iranian state television asserted that the attacks were of “minimal impact” due to Iran’s air defenses, which reportedly prevented Israeli aircraft from penetrating Iranian airspace.
In its statement, Iran condemned the strikes as an “illegitimate and illegal act” that violated international law. The Iranian military further accused the United States of complicity, alleging that it supports Israel in actions destabilizing the region. Iran also emphasized its “legal and legitimate right to respond” at a time of its choosing while calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon to protect civilian lives.
The Iranian government’s statement included a warning to the United States, cautioning against what it described as enabling Israeli “criminal actions” and underscoring the potential for the conflict to spiral if regional tensions persist.
Both Israeli and Iranian officials have called on their citizens to ignore “rumors” circulating in the media and social networks, advising them to rely solely on official channels for updates.
