Israel Defense Forces says strikes on Iran’s military industry nearing completion

Jerusalem — The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has said it expects to complete strikes on key components of Iran’s military industry within the next few days, as tensions continue to escalate across the Middle East.

IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin said in a live broadcast that the military was carrying out a systematic and extensive campaign targeting vital infrastructure. He stated that the attacks aim to significantly damage Iran’s military production capabilities, adding that it would take considerable time for the country to restore them.

“We continue to act according to a plan, with a systematic and extensive attack prepared in advance and constantly adapted to the situation,” Defrin said, adding that Israel sees an opportunity to “fundamentally change the situation.”

Referring to a missile launched from Yemen on Saturday — the first since the start of joint United States–Israel strikes on Iran — Defrin said Israel was prepared for a multi-front conflict, including threats from the Houthis. He warned that anyone attempting to harm Israeli citizens would “pay a price.”

On the Lebanese front, the IDF spokesperson said more than 850 militants from Hezbollah had been killed, and that Israeli forces were deepening control in southern Lebanon to prevent attacks on northern Israeli communities.

Meanwhile, authorities confirmed that a man in his 60s was killed in Tel Aviv after a missile launched from Iran struck the metropolitan area on Friday night. According to Israel’s national emergency service, Magen David Adom, the victim — a construction worker — was hit by shrapnel from a cluster munition. Two other people sustained light to moderate injuries.

Air defence sirens were activated across central Israel near midnight, sending residents to shelters. Earlier, another missile launched from Iran into southern Israel caused minor injuries to two people.

The developments come amid heightened tensions following joint US–Israeli strikes on Iran that began on February 28, triggering retaliatory attacks by Iran and its regional allies across the Middle East. 

With inputs from IANS