Iran Downplays Damage from Israeli Air Strikes Amid Rising Tensions

Iran has downplayed the damage from Israel’s air strikes on its military targets, asserting that the attacks caused only limited harm. The strikes, which occurred early on Saturday, were Israel’s retaliation for a prior missile assault by Iran. In response, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei emphasized the need for a calculated demonstration of power, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting to condemn Israel’s actions.

U.S. President Joe Biden urged de-escalation in the region, noting that the strikes seemed to target military sites exclusively. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed significant damage to Iran’s missile production capabilities. Satellite images revealed damage at military sites linked to Iran’s missile program.

Tensions have escalated since Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, with ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, resulting in numerous casualties. The situation remains volatile, with warnings from both the U.S. and Israel against further Iranian retaliation. Protests also erupted in Israel against Netanyahu, with many blaming him for security failures linked to the Hamas attack.