In response to Israeli airstrikes on its military sites, Iran defended its “inherent right to self-defense” while signaling a commitment to regional stability. The three-wave assault early Saturday targeted Iran’s aerial defense and missile production sites, part of Israel’s stated retaliation for months of Iranian attacks. With the world on high alert over potential escalation, the U.S. urged both nations to avoid further military exchanges.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) emphasized that its strikes avoided nuclear and oil facilities, aiming instead to deter further aggression while averting a wider conflict. Iran, while condemning the strikes, suggested restraint in its response. An official statement from Iran’s foreign ministry asserted a right to defense but highlighted the country’s responsibilities for maintaining regional peace, without committing to immediate retaliation. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have repeatedly cautioned against a broader Middle Eastern conflict, asserting that such a war would risk dragging in the U.S.

The strike, however, sparked outcry across the Middle East. Qatar and Saudi Arabia denounced the attack as a violation of Iran’s sovereignty, and Jordan labeled it a “dangerous escalation” that could destabilize the region. Iraq also criticized Israel for its “aggressive policies.” Iran confirmed two soldiers were killed, and reported minimal damage after its air defenses intercepted several Israeli missiles. Explosions were reported in Tehran, but the capital itself remained unscathed.

The cycle of retaliation has intensified since October 1, when Iran launched missiles at Israel in retaliation for the targeted assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. This exchange of attacks traces back to April, when Israel’s bombing of an Iranian consular site in Damascus killed key members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Israel has primarily engaged Iran indirectly through Iran-backed proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas, keeping direct confrontations relatively limited until recent months.

With heightened stakes, some analysts are cautiously hopeful that this latest exchange may be the last. Experts, including Tel Aviv University’s Michael Milshtein and Chatham House’s Yossi Mekelberg, suggest that Israel’s strategic restraint in targeting may discourage Iran from escalating further. Mekelberg noted that Iran’s downplaying of the strikes could allow for a move toward diplomacy, as both nations may recognize the benefits of de-escalation over sustained conflict. The Biden administration remains firm in its stance, emphasizing the importance of ending the hostilities for regional stability.