Hezbollah later issued evacuation warnings for more than a dozen named locations in Israel, in a new move mirroring the warnings long put out by the Israeli military for areas of Gaza and Lebanon where it intends to operate.
Confirming its own strikes after explosions and anti-aircraft fire echoed around Tehran, the Israeli military said it had hit Iranian missile factories and military facilities in several regions.
The “retaliatory strike has been completed and the mission was fulfilled”, and Israeli aircraft “returned safely”, a military spokesman said.
Iran confirmed Israel had targeted military sites around the capital and in other parts of the country, saying the raids caused “limited damage” but killed four soldiers.
Iran’s armed forces general staff said only radar systems were damaged in the strikes and held back from any threat of immediate retaliation.
“While reserving its legal and legitimate right to respond at the appropriate moment, Iran is prioritising the establishment of a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon,” it said.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there were “no limits” to Iran’s determination to defend itself.
