Officials in Iran say four of its soldiers were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Saturday. However, they are taking a cautious stance over whether to launch a counterattack against Israel, while reserving the right to respond.
The Israeli military says its airstrikes hit missile-manufacturing facilities and surface-to-air missile systems in Iran.
The Iranian military announced on Saturday that “Iran, while reserving the legitimate right to respond appropriately at the right time, reiterates the importance of a sustained ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement sharply critical of Israel, saying the airstrikes constitute violations of Iran’s sovereignty.
Israel says the air offensive was in retaliation for the large-scale missile attacks Iran had carried out against Israel on October 1.
Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said, “If the regime in Iran were to make the mistake of beginning a new round of escalation, we will be obliged to respond.”
US President Joe Biden on Saturday said it appeared that Israel only struck military targets in Iran, and that he hoped they were the end of the attacks.
Analysts say Washington does not want the conflict in the Middle East to escalate further.
Biden has called on Israel to refrain from attacking Iranian nuclear or oil producing facilities, while acknowledging its right to respond to Iranian attacks.