Israel attacks Iran in retaliation...U.S. "Israeli self-defense"

[Anchor]
Israel has launched a pre-announced retaliatory attack on Iranian military facilities.

Israel says it is a limited airstrike on military facilities, not Iran's nuclear or oil facilities.

I'll connect you to a reporter for more information. Reporter Kim Seung Hwan!

Please pass it on.

[Reporter]
Foreign media reported that loud explosions were heard in Tehran, the capital of Iran, and nearby cities, citing Iranian semi-official media reports.

At least six loud explosions were heard in the capital Tehran and nearby Karaz early Wednesday local time, it said.

Local media said the cause of the explosion had not been identified, so Iranian intelligence authorities launched an investigation.

Just a moment ago, four additional explosions were heard in Tehran, Iran, in addition to the blast, and the air defenses were still working, local media reported.

The Israeli military confirmed the airstrikes in a statement.

[Daniel Hagari / Israeli military spokesman: In response to months of continuous attacks by the Iranian regime on Israel, Israeli defense forces are now carrying out precision strikes on Iranian military targets.]

Israel says it has the right and obligation to respond and condemns Iran and its proxy groups for continuing to attack Israel since October last year.

The Associated Press said it was unclear what Iranian military installations had been attacked so far.

CBS reported that Israel's attacks were limited to military facilities, not nuclear or oil facilities.

[Anchor]
What is the reaction of the US to this attack?

[Reporter]
White House National Security Council spokesman Sean Sabbett said in a statement that he understood Israel had attacked military facilities in Iran in response to Iranian missile attacks and in self-defense.

It drew a line on the U.S. connection to this attack.

The U.S. is said to have been informed of the plan just before Israel launched its airstrikes on Iran.

CNN reported that President Joe Biden, who is currently staying at his home in Walmington, Delaway, has been briefed on the raid and is monitoring the situation, but will not convene a separate security meeting.

The Israeli airstrike came at a time when Iran was exploring the timing and method of retaliation for shooting about 200 ballistic missiles at Israel on the 1st.

In particular, the U.S. military relocated its F-16 fighter jets in Germany to the Middle East the previous day, raising speculation that Israel's retaliatory attacks against Iran may be imminent.

The U.S. and Israeli governments hope that Iran will take a military response but will remain limited, and hope that further retaliatory attacks will not continue, U.S. Internet media Axios reported.

I'm YTN Kim Seung Hwan from the international department.