Israel bombs Iran: Explosions are heard across Tehran as 'IDF forces launch retaliatory strikes' while blasts also hit Syria | 25 Oct 2024 | Israel launched a series of retaliatory strikes on Iran early on Saturday morning, while blasts also reportedly hit Syria. IDF forces claimed it was conducting "precise strikes" on military targets in Tehran in response to what it called "the continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against Israel." The Middle East has been on edge in anticipation of Israeli retaliation for Iran's attack on October 1, in which around 200 ballistic missiles were fired at Israel, Iran's second direct attack on Israel in six months. An Israeli military statement said that Israel "has the right and the duty to respond," although it did not elaborate on targets. Witnesses in Tehran confirmed hearing loud explosions said: "It was so loud and the sky became red," said an Iranian resident in Tehran, who asked not to be named. Shortly after communities in northern Israel were told to take shelter amid an alert of a drone from Lebanon.