Early this morning, Israel carried out successful and highly sophisticated strikes against key Iranian military sites.
The operation — code named "Days of Repentance" — took place more than 1,000 miles from Israel and was unprecedented in scale and duration. In a rare move, Israel immediately acknowledged it was carrying out the strikes after more than a year of sustained attacks by Iran and its proxies against the Jewish state.
Over several hours, Israel executed multiple waves of attacks throughout Iran, carried out by dozens of aircraft — including fighter jets, refueling planes, surveillance planes, and emergency-rescue teams. Simultaneously, Israel struck Iranian targets in Syria and Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
In Iran, the first wave of attack took out the regime’s air-defense systems, allowing subsequent waves to more easily hit strategic military sites, such as drone and ballistic missile manufacturing and launch sites. One of the key targets in the attack appears to be 12 "planetary mixers," a key component for producing fuel for ballistic missiles — severely compromising the regime’s ability to produce the missiles that it’s used to attack Israel and that it’s provided Putin for his war against Ukraine.
Israel’s ability to carry out these precision strikes was made possible in part by the annual security assistance we lobby Congress for each year. Israel uses the billions in annual aid to purchase fighter jets like the ones used in this response.
The IDF released video and pictures of Israeli pilots in their American-made fighter jets, preparing to take off before last night's operation. Four female F-16 combat navigators were among those who took part in the attack.
Watch this incredible video of Israeli fighter jet squadrons returning home from their mission in Iran:
Many members of Congress and administration officials have already spoken out in support of Israel’s operation. As a senior U.S. administration official said, "Israel did not attack Iran. Iran attacked Israel, 200 ballistic missiles. And Israel, tonight, has responded to that attack as an exercise of self-defense."
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said, "Congress stands resolutely behind Israel as our ally strikes in self-defense. The world should know we will fully support Israel if Iran continues its violence." And Rep. Steny Hoyer added, "The U.S. will always support the State of Israel as it exercises its right to defend itself."
This operation was a response to Iran’s unprecedented ballistic missile attack on October 1 and also comes exactly one year on the Jewish calendar after Iranian-backed terrorists brutally massacred 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped 251 people on Simchat Torah.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant this morning and "reaffirmed the ironclad commitment of the United States to Israel’s security and right to self-defense."
IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari made clear that Israel’s operation is now over, but that Israel would be obligated to respond if Iran continues to escalate. You can watch the full statement here:
For over a year, Iran and its terrorist proxies have attacked the Jewish state non-stop from seven fronts. Israel has a right and obligation to take action to keep its people safe from this shared threat.
Thank you for working with AIPAC to help ensure America always stands with Israel and that our ally always has the resources needed to keep its people safe.
The mission of AIPAC is to encourage and persuade the U.S. government to enact specific policies that create a strong, enduring and mutually beneficial relationship with our ally Israel.
AIPAC 251 H St. NW • Washington D.C. 20001 • TEL 202-639-5200
