- India 81-1 in fight to deny New Zealand historic series win
- Georgia votes in key test for democracy, EU ambitions
- New Zealand sniff historic win as India set 359 to win Test
- End of golden era for Chinese investors in Bordeaux wine
- Freeman fairytale slam powers Dodgers to World Series win
- Bagnaia claims pole for Thailand MotoGP, title rival Martin third
- Israel hits Iran missiles, bases in retaliatory strikes
- Freeman slam lifts Dodgers over Yankees in World Series thriller
- Philippine rescuers battle floodwaters to reach stranded
- Georgia votes in crucial test for democracy, EU ambitions
- Beyonce boosts Harris at abortion rights rally in Texas
- Bidzina Ivanishvili: the tycoon ruling Georgia behind the scenes
- Myanmar's war approaches Mandalay a year after rebel offensive
- Decline of rural Japan not our fault, women say
- Suarez and Alba give Miami winning start in MLS Cup playoffs
- Turkish Cypriots caught in citizenship limbo on divided island
- Final campaigning in tight Japan election
- Cali's love motels adapt to host UN summit delegates
- World champion Sakamoto takes Skate Canada lead over Liu
- Sainz tops times as Russell crashes in Mexico GP practice
- Three moments from King Charles Pacific tour
- Commonwealth announces Ghana foreign minister as new secretary general
- Gaza ministry accuses Israel of storming hospital, reports two children killed
- King Charles III departs Samoa, wrapping Pacific tour
- G7 finalize $50 bn Ukraine loan backed by Russian assets profits
- Ex-Abercrombie CEO pleads not guilty to sex crimes
- Unfulfilled talent? Two-time champion Alonso clocks up 400th F1 race
- Guardiola praises 'incredible' mentality of Man City stars
- Chelsea boss Maresca wants more 'leadership' from captain James
- US issues historic apology for Native American boarding school atrocities
- Moody's cuts France outlook, opening door to credit downgrade
- Drone sparks fire on Kyiv residential building, one dead
- Gaza ministry says two children die in hospital in Israeli raid
- Wood brace fires Forest as Leicester boss Cooper loses reunion
- Dodgers draw on Bryant's 'Mamba mentality' for World Series
- 'Fascist' row overshadows glitzy night on US campaign trail
- Modern art museum breathes new life into downtown Warsaw
- Russell tops crash-hit Mexico GP practice
- Fils, Shelton set for friendly fire in Basel semi-finals
- Internet blackout hits Mozambique capital after election protests
- Yankees, Dodgers poised for World Series blockbuster
- 'Catfish' predator who drove US girl to suicide jailed for life in N.Ireland
- NASA astronaut hospitalized after return from ISS
- Biden apologizes for Native American boarding school atrocities
- Mexico rules out designating drug violence as 'terrorism'
- Emery wants no let-up from Aston Villa
- Boeing exploring sale of space business: report
- G20 affirms commitment to transition from fossil fuels
- Shami misses India's tour of Australia as Easwaran named as potential Rohit cover
- BHP, Vale agree to pay $30bn damages for Brazil dam disaster
Israel hits Iran missiles, bases in retaliatory strikes
Israel said it conducted air strikes against Iran on Saturday that hit military bases and missile sites in retaliation for the Islamic republic's attacks, warning it would "pay a heavy price" if it responds.
The Israeli military said its strikes hit Iran's missile manufacturing facilities, missile arrays and other systems in several regions.
Iran confirmed an Israeli attack had targeted military sites in the capital Tehran and other parts of the country, but said it had caused "limited damage".
Israel had vowed to hit back at Iran for its October 1 missile strike, the second-ever direct attack by the Islamic republic on its arch-foe.
The rapid escalation of violence has heightened fears across the region and beyond of a wider war, pitting Israel against Iran and the allies it dubs the "axis of resistance" on multiple fronts.
"Based on intelligence, IAF (air force) aircraft struck missile manufacturing facilities used to produce the missiles that Iran fired at the State of Israel over the last year," Israel's military said in a statement.
"Simultaneously, the IDF (military) struck surface-to-air missile arrays and additional Iranian aerial capabilities," the army said, adding that the "retaliatory strike has been completed and the mission was fulfilled".
Since the deadliest attack in its history on October 7, 2023, Israel has been fighting Hamas in Gaza, and since late last month, it has been at war with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Both Hezbollah and Hamas are allies of Iran, as are armed groups in Yemen and Iraq and the government in Syria.
In a statement announcing the operation, the Israeli military said it was conducting "precise strikes on military targets in Iran", in response to what it said were "months of continuous attacks from the regime in Iran".
"The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking Israel since October 7th -- on seven fronts -- including direct attacks from Iranian soil," the military said.
Iran on Saturday suspended all flights until further notice, the aviation authority announced.
Iran in April launched its first-ever direct assault on Israeli territory in retaliation for a deadly strike on Iran's consular annex in Damascus.
- 'Fully mobilised' -
Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that sparked the war in Gaza killed 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures.
Israel's retaliatory campaign in Gaza has killed 42,847 people, the majority civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory's health ministry which the United Nations considers reliable.
Israel has since broadened the scope of its operations to Lebanon, vowing to secure its northern border after nearly a year of attacks launched by Iran-backed Hezbollah in support of Hamas.
At least 1,580 people have been killed in Lebanon since September 23, according to an AFP tally of Lebanese health ministry figures.
Iran's October 1 strike came after an Israeli air raid killed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and Revolutionary Guards general Abbas Nilforoushan in Lebanon on September 27.
The killing of Nasrallah, which dealt Hezbollah a seismic blow, followed the death of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh on July 31 in Iran in an attack widely blamed on Israel.
Iran's air defence force confirmed an Israeli attack had targeted several military bases in Tehran and other areas.
"This fake regime (Israel) attacked parts of military centres in Tehran, Khuzestan and Ilam provinces," it said in a statement, adding that the attack "caused limited damage" while being intercepted.
Earlier, Iranian state television reported blasts around the capital, saying they were due to the "activation of the air defence system" against an Israeli attack.
An AFP reporter in Tehran also heard explosions.
- US informed -
Iran had in recent weeks warned that any attack on its infrastructure would provoke an "even stronger response", while Revolutionary Guards general Rassul Sanairad said an attack on nuclear or energy sites would cross a red line.
US National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said the "targeted strikes on military targets" are "an exercise of self-defence and in response to Iran's ballistic missile attack against Israel on October 1."
The United States was "informed beforehand and there is no US involvement," a US defence official told AFP, on condition of anonymity.
The official did not say how far in advance the United States had been informed or what had been shared by Israel.
Syrian state news agency SANA said Israel conducted an air attack on Saturday from the occupied Golan Heights and Lebanon, targeting military positions in Syria.
Citing an unnamed military source, the agency said the attack at around 2:00 am (2300 GMT) had targeted positions in central and southern Syria.
The attack prompted Syria to activate its air defences, SANA said, as Israel announced it was launching "precision strikes" in neighbouring Iran.
Iran and Syria are allies in the so-called "axis of resistance" that also includes Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.
"Our anti-aircraft defence is confronting hostile targets in the skies around Damascus," state news agency SANA reported on Telegram.
SANA had previously reported the "sounds of explosions" in the vicinity of the Syrian capital.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a loose network of pro-Iran factions, claimed responsibility early Saturday for a drone attack against a "military target" in northern Israel, following the announcement of Israeli strikes on Iran.
Iraq suspended all air traffic Saturday at its airports until further notice after Israel its attack.
A.Rodriguezv--AMWN