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Hezbollah orders ‘immediate’ evacuation of several settlements in northern Israel

Israeli Settlers

In a video message posted on Telegram, Hezbollah addressed residents directly, stating, “You are requested to evacuate immediately. Your settlements have become a place for the deployment and stability of enemy military forces that are attacking Lebanon. As a result, they have become legitimate military targets for the air and missile power of the Islamic resistance.”

The settlements included Kiryat Shmona, Yasod HaMa’ala, Ayelet HaShachar, Hatzor HaGalilit, Karmiel, Ma’alot Tarshiha, Even Menachem, Nahariya, Rosh Pina, Shamir, Sha’al, Miron, Kabri, Abirim, Dalton, Nefat Ziv, Qatzrin, Kfar Hananya, Manot, Beit HaAmik, Kfar Vradim, Harashim, Birya, Kfar Tzvi and Bar Yohai.

Israel has mounted a huge air campaign in Lebanon since last month against what it claims are Hezbollah targets, in an escalation from a year of cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah since the start of Israel’s offensive on the Gaza Strip.

Israel expanded the conflict this year by launching a ground assault into southern Lebanon on Oct. 1.

More than 2,650 people have been killed and over 12,300 others injured in Israeli aggression since last year, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Death toll from Israeli raids on Iran rises to four

Israel Air Force

Earlier, the Iranian Army had announced the martyrdom of two of its forces in the Israeli attack, who lost their lives “while confronting the projectiles of the criminal Zionist regime in order to safeguard the security of Iran and prevent harm to the Iranian nation and interests”.

Media reports identified the two martyred Army forces as Major Hamzeh Jahandideh and Sergeant Mohammad-Mehdi Shahrokhifar.

Major Sajjad Mansouri and Sergeant Mehdi Naghavi, who had been injured in line of duty, also succumbed to their injuries, according to reports.

The strikes targeted parts of military sites in the capital Tehran as well as the western and southwestern provinces of Ilam and Khuzestan, with Iran’s air defense saying the attacks were “successfully intercepted and countered”.

The attacks caused “limited damage” in some locations and the dimensions of the incident are under investigation, it added.

UN chief ‘deeply alarmed’ after Israeli strikes on Iran

António Guterres

“All acts of escalation are condemnable and must stop,” the statement said.

The Secretary-General urgently reiterates his appeal to all parties to cease all military actions, including in Gaza and Lebanon, exert maximum efforts to prevent an all-out regional war and return to the path of diplomacy, he added.

In the early hours of Saturday, Israeli strikes targeted parts of military sites in the capital Tehran as well as the western and southwestern provinces of Ilam and Khuzestan, with Iran’s air defense saying the attacks were successfully thwarted.

The attacks caused limited damage in some locations and the dimensions of the incident are under investigation, it added.

The Iranian Army announced four of its servicemen have been killed in the raid by the Israeli regime.

Biden reacts to Israeli attacks on Iran

Joe Biden

“It looks like they didn’t hit anything other than military targets. My hope is this is the end,” he told reporters in Philadelphia.

He said that he spent time earlier Saturday being briefed by the intelligence community.

The president added he did receive a heads up ahead of the Israeli strikes.

Biden administration officials have announced the US was not directly involved with the strike, but had been consulting closely with Israel.

The Israeli army targeted military centers in the Iranian provinces of Tehran, Khuzestan, and Ilam in the early hours of Saturday despite warnings from Iran that any adventurism by Israel would face a harsh response.

Iran announced its air defense system intercepted and countered the attacks, with limited damage reported in some areas.

The extent of the incident is currently under investigation.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has defended Tehran’s right “to defend itself against external aggressive acts”.

Iranian Armed Forces: Israeli attacks caused minimal damage to some radar systems 

Iran Air Defense Radars

The General Staff issued a statement following the early Saturday morning attacks by the Israeli regime in some parts of the country.

The statement said following the timely action of the air defense systems of Iran, the damage that was caused to some radar systems was minimal and those systems were repaired quickly.

It added that a considerable number of the projectiles fired were intercepted and the enemy’s warplanes were held outside Iran’s airspace.

The statement stressed that while Iran reserves its right to take action in due course, it also seeks a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon.

The Israeli attacks were conducted early Saturday on some military centers in the provinces of Tehran, Khuzestan and Ilam.

Iranian FM: Iran will defend every inch of its soil, territorial integrity 

Abbas Araghchi

Araghchi was speaking to Iranian online media khamenei.ir.

He said in his recent tour of the region, he outlined Iran’s capabilities to defend itself and deal a blow to those who contemplate an act of aggression against the nation.

The foreign minister added that in these trips, he also clarified the Islamic Republic of Iran’s definitive policies on regional issues and on its defense of the axis of resistance, telling regional countries that Tehran is serious about supporting the Palestinian people and confronting the Zionist regime.

Araghchi noted that while Iran is ready for war, it does not want tension and wants peace with neighbors.

He however stated that the Zionist regime and extra-regional powers are an exception in this regard.

EU calls for maximum restraint from all parties after Israel’s strikes on Iran

The European Union

On Saturday the EU called for all parties to exercise utmost restraint to avoid an “uncontrollable escalation” in the Middle East.

The dangerous cycle of attacks and retaliations risks causing a further expansion of the regional conflict,” the 27-nation bloc said in a statement.

“While acknowledging Israel’s right to self-defence, the EU calls on all parties to exercise utmost restraint to avoid an uncontrollable escalation, which is in no one’s interest,” it added.

The Israeli army targeted military centers in the Iranian provinces of Tehran, Khuzestan, and Ilam in the early hours of Saturday despite warnings from Iran that any adventurism by Israeli would face a harsh response.

Iran announced its air defense system intercepted and countered the attacks, with limited damage reported in some areas.

The extent of the incident is currently under investigation.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has defended Tehran’s right “to defend itself against external aggressive acts”.

Russia expresses concerns over ‘explosive escalation’ after Israeli raid on Iran

Maria Zakharova

Moscow is “deeply concerned” about the “explosive escalation” between Israel and Iran, which threatens stability and security in the region, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said, commenting on the attacks.

Russia urges those involved in the conflict “to show restraint, stop the violence and prevent events from developing according to a catastrophic scenario”, the diplomat stressed in a statement.

Moscow believes that it’s necessary for Israel to stop provoking Iran to retaliate.

“We are ready to work with all the parties to reduce the level of confrontation,” Zakharova added.

The Israeli army targeted military centers in the Iranian provinces of Tehran, Khuzestan, and Ilam in the early hours of Saturday despite warnings from Iran that any adventurism by Israeli would face a harsh response.

Iran announced its air defense system intercepted and countered the attacks, with limited damage reported in some areas.

The extent of the incident is currently under investigation.

Imam Khomeini Airport CEO denies damage to air defense by Israeli attacks  

Imam Khomeini Airport

Saeed Chalandari said flights are ongoing according to the schedule.

He added that five foreign airlines have canceled their flights, but it is likely that these flights will resume this evening.

According to Chalandari, Turkish, UAE and Qatari companies, which announced in the past days that they had canceled their flights to Iran due to security reasons, will resume their flights from October 31.

Analyst: Iran’s potential response to Israel strikes will have far-reaching implication

Iran Missile Attack Israel

Zeidabadi wrote in his Telegram channel on Saturday that the next move by Iran will be crucial in shaping the trajectory of the crisis.

Following extensive propaganda and heightened expectations over the past 25 days, Israel’s attack on several military targets in Iran has created a situation where the Islamic Republic must carefully consider its response, he wrote.

He pointed out that an immediate retaliation by Iran could escalate the conflict, leading to significant political and economic consequences, including inadvertently aiding Donald Trump’s election campaign in the United States.

On the other hand, any delay or lack of response could intensify pressure from hardline factions within Iran, accusing the government of surrendering and causing political unrest, he opined.

Zeidabadi suggests that “Israel’s calculated attack, which fell short of the highest expectations, was designed to create uncertainty within Iran’s decision-making bodies.”

The strategic ambiguity complicates Iran’s response, making the situation both simpler and more challenging, he said, adding Iran’s next move will ultimately determine which of the potential scenarios in this crisis will unfold.

The political pundit underlined that the stakes are high, and the outcome of this geopolitical chess game will have far-reaching implications for regional stability and international relations.