Israeli Air Force strikes 20 targets in Iran, destroys missile hubs

The Israeli Air Force on Thursday confirmed that it carried out a series of airstrikes inside Iran targeting key military infrastructure including ballistic missile launchers and air defence systems believed to pose an immediate threat to Israel reported news agency ANIAccording to a statement released by the Israeli military fighter jets conducted coordinated strikes on multiple strategic sites across Iran as part of a broader campaign to weaken Tehranrsquos offensive military capabilitiesMissile launcher prepared for attack on Israel destroyedIn a post on X the Israeli Air Force said its aircraft successfully destroyed a ballistic missile launcher that had been armed and prepared for an imminent launch towards IsraelThe launcher was located in the Kam area of Iran and was identified as an immediate operational threat The military said the strike neutralised the missile system before it could be usedThe IAF also released documentation of the operation describing it as an ldquoattack on missile launcher and defence system in Isfahan and Kam in IranrdquoAccording to the statement the precision strike was carried out to prevent an impending missile attack and reduce Iranrsquos ability to target Israeli territory reported ANIAir defence system in Isfahan also targetedApart from the missile launcher Israeli jets also struck an air defence system located in Isfahan The system was reportedly designed to intercept or target Israeli aircraft operating in the region reported ANIThe Israeli military said destroying the system was crucial to maintaining operational freedom for its fighter jets during the missionIn addition a defence system intended to strike Air Force aircraft in Isfahan was destroyed the Israeli Air Force said in its statement reported ANIOfficials noted that disabling Iranian air defence infrastructure allows Israeli aircraft to operate more effectively and safely during longrange operationsOver 20 military targets struck in coordinated operationFurther details about the strikes were reported by The Times of Israel citing the Israel Defense ForcesDuring a press briefing IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin confirmed that more than 20 military targets across Iran were hit during the operation reported ANIThe targeted locations included missile storage facilities ballistic and cruise missile infrastructure and air defence installationsTwo of the sites reportedly struck were facilities in Isfahan where Iran stored advanced Ghadr ballistic missiles according to the reportDozens of missiles believed destroyed in strikesIsraeli officials believe the operation dealt a significant blow to Iranrsquos missile arsenal According to Brigadier General Effie Defrin the strikes likely destroyed dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles stored at the targeted facilities reported ANIldquoWe estimate that the strikes took out many dozens of ballistic missiles and cruise missilesrdquo Defrin said during the press conference reported ANIThe strikes come amid escalating tensions in the region with both countries increasingly engaged in military posturing and indirect confrontation across multiple frontsPart of broader strategy to weaken Iranrsquos military capabilitiesThe Israeli military described the operation as part of a broader strategy to reduce Iranrsquos ability to launch missile attacks and to strengthen Israelrsquos air superiority in the regionldquoThese strikes join the effort to strike the fire arrays of the Iranian regime and deepen the IDFrsquos air superiority in the areardquo the Israeli Air Force said reported ANIThe latest developments underscore growing security concerns in the Middle East as military actions between Israel and Iran continue to intensify raising fears of a wider regional conflictWith inputs from ANI