Israel Strikes Back

We have reports streaming in that Israel has launched retaliatory strikes against Iran. The United States has made it clear that its support for Israel is ironclad, though it wouldn’t support Israel’s counterattacks. The strikes come after Iran launched an unprecedented kamikaze drone and ballistic missile barrage from its soil last weekend.

Explosions reported inside Iran. We're in breaking news coverage. Tune in. pic.twitter.com/IdyLRZwHwa
— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) April 19, 2024

Lots of coordination to avoid a broader regional war between Israel and Iran. pic.twitter.com/DVZizb8z0M
— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) April 19, 2024

Full segment here:

We don't know the target or if there are any casualties, but ABC News through US officials are confirming that Israeli missiles have struck inside Iran. Israeli officials told The Washington Post that the strikes were meant to show Iran that Israel had the capability of hitting targets inside their country:

The Israeli military carried out an airstrike inside Iran, an Israeli official said Friday, in retaliation for an Iranian barrage of missiles and drones launched against Israel. It was not clear what damage the strike caused, but the official — who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military matters — said it was intended to signal to Iran that Israel had the ability to strike inside the country.

U.S. Officials have Confirmed that Israeli Aircraft have Stuck a Location in Iran.
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 19, 2024

Explosions so far have been reported in the last few minutes near the Cities of Isfahan and Natanz in Central Iran, which both contain Significant Facilities for the Iranian Nuclear Program.
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 19, 2024

Iranian State Media is reporting that tonight’s Airstrike by the Israel Air Force may have Targeted the 8th Tactical Airbase of the Iranian Air Force, within Isfahan International Airport, which contains multiple Squadrons of F-14 “Tomcat” Fighter Aircraft.
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 19, 2024

UPDATE II: Iran's nuclear sites were reportedly not targeted; all were military targets.

Does not sound like nuclear sites were targeted. Military targets only. US was notified in advance. Escalation was not the objective.

Israel demonstrating its capability to reach inside Iran at will. That is the step taken tonight to begin restoring deterrence.
— Richard Goldberg (@rich_goldberg) April 19, 2024

Israel also informed the US of its strikes–US officials were not surprised.

A senior US official told me Israel conducted a strike in Iran tonight. He said Israel notified the U.S. in advance. "We were not surprised", the official said
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) April 19, 2024

The Israeli response appears to have been limited to a handful of military targets deep inside Iran.

Israel's message is clear: We are responding in a measured way, but make no mistake – we can hit you, we can hit you hard, and we can hit you anywhere. Don't test us again.
— Avi Mayer אבי מאיר (@AviMayer) April 19, 2024