Massive explosions at two Iranian air bases in suspected Israeli surgical airstrikes
Here’s what we know at this hour about this dramatic and dangerous new development in the Middle East
JERUSALEM, ISRAEL — Just minutes ago, massive explosions occurred at two of Iran’s most important air bases, a U.S. intelligence expert tells ALL ISRAEL NEWS.
It is widely believed in the region that these were Israeli surgical airstrikes – possibly conducted by F-35 stealth fighter jets – or the result of Israeli ballistic or cruise missile attacks, possibly launched from Israeli submarines operating in the Persian Gulf.
While U.S. President Joe Biden has insisted that Israel not retaliate for the unprecedented Iranian decision to fire 320 missiles and suicide drones at Israel late last Saturday night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted this week that Israel would make its own decisions regarding its national security.
Netanyahu has wanted to hit Iran’s nuclear facilities since 2012 but had never been able to secure the full support of Israel’s top military and civilian leadership.
Iran’s brazen attack this week appears to have dramatically changed the calculus of Israel’s War Cabinet.
At 4:27 a.m. Israel time, ABC News correspondent Martha Raddatz reported the following: “A U.S. official confirmed to ABC News – Israeli missiles have hit a site in Iran.”
There are also unconfirmed reports at this hour that the IDF hit Iranian targets in Iraq and Syria.
On Wednesday, Netanyahu told the British and German foreign ministers visiting the country: “I thank our friends for their support in defense of Israel and I say this – support in both words and deeds. They also have all kinds of suggestions and advice, which I appreciate; however, I would also like to clarify – we will make our decisions ourselves. The State of Israel will do whatever is necessary to defend itself.”
An Iranian-American just posted this on 𝕏, the social media site formerly known as Twitter: “Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) tells passengers that all flights have been canceled and that they should exit the airport.”
Florida Senator Marco Rubio just posted this on 𝕏: “Israel has the ability to conduct strikes against targets inside Iran without entering Iranian air space from aircraft over Syrian and Iraqi airspace.”
As of 5:22 a.m. Israel time, the Israeli military is now at its highest level of alert.
Most Israelis are asleep and are not aware this is happening.
But there is a very real possibility now that Iran will retaliate directly, and/or order Hezbollah to fire some of its 150,000 missiles at Israel.
The big question now: Is tonight’s attack on Iranian nuclear facilities Israel’s only response – or is it just the beginning of many more IDF attacks?
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Joel C. Rosenberg is the editor-in-chief of ALL ISRAEL NEWS and ALL ARAB NEWS and the President and CEO of Near East Media. A New York Times best-selling author, Middle East analyst, and Evangelical leader, he lives in Jerusalem with his wife and sons.
