Israel launches air strikes on Iran

By Caitlin Wilson and George Bowden, BBC, Oct 26: Israel says it is conducting "precise strikes on military targets" in Iran

The Israel Defense Forces say the strikes are in response to "months of continuous attacks from the regime of Iran" and after a barrage of Iranian missiles hit Israel on 1 October

A news agency close to Iran's Revolutionary Guards says that some military bases in the west and south west of the Iranian capital have been targeted

Syrian state news agency says Israeli air strikes have also targeted some military sites in central and southern areas of Syria

Israel has not commented on reported strikes outside of Iran

An anticipated attack: What we know so far

Israel has confirmed it launched "precise strikes on military targets in Iran". It is unclear what sites were hit and the extent of the damage. The US has previously warned Israel to avoid striking nuclear and oil sites that could trigger a widening conflict in the region.

The strikes come after Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles on Israel earlier this month. Israel had said it would strike back but did not detail when or what sites it might target. Iran's attack had come following Israeli strikes that killed Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Iran Revolutionary Guards Corp Quds Force operations commander Brig-Gen Abbas Nilforoushan.

So far, Iranian state media has dismissed the attacks as unsuccessful, which experts tell the BBC is a typical response from Iran after such incidents. But, experts warn, that might change if reports of severe damage or deaths surface

Blasts have also been reported in Syria, though Israel has not claimed responsibility in those attacks. Syrian air defence forces intercepted missiles and shot them down, according to Reuters and AFP news agencies, citing Syrian state media

The US was not involved in the attack, according to the Pentagon. The White House called the strikes an "exercise of self-defence". US President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris have been briefed on the strikes and are following developments.