Claims of explosions being reported in Tehran by local media.
Hard to ascertain, but sounds like strikes may be starting.
Update:
Israel has confirmed strikes underway.

Fox News USA reporting IDF attacks have started in Iran, Iraq & Syria

For those of you in the Northern hemisphere waking up... a bit more detail emerging.
https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-826117
Three waves, 20 targets, over 100 aircraft including F-35i.

Interesting to find out whether the IAF aircaft actually penetrated Iranian airspace or stood off

And on a side note, taking out Irans drone and missile production facilities, will also possibly aid Ukraine in scuppering supplies to Russia.. a win, win, all round.

This attack was well telegraphed to allow Iran to put their SAW and fighters on alert - doubtless deliberately so just to make the point how useless they are.

The attack started with their F-35i for SEAD, the only deaths the Iranians have admitted to are soldiers in a missile command post, and would have been followed by the F-15i carrying the long range ALBMs, how far they penetrated will depend on their targets and the missile range - Iran is a big country.

I am more interested to see what comes out about their routing. I know the Gulf states and Saudi said their airspace couldn’t be used - but the USA also flew in a lot of fighter support and made the point that any attack on their allies would be responded too, so there may have been a deal or they may have routed over southern Syria and Iraq.

Currently there are 5 USAF KC135 aircraft "patrolling" along the Iraq/Iran border, no other visible military aircraft but that doesn't mean that they are not there too. Iranian airspace has reopened to commercial traffic with flights from various international and Iranian carriers overflying Iran.

Would be interesting to see the routing and also if AAR was employed.

Some IAF pix of those who flew in yesterday's strikes:
Assume these were taken on return - WSO has her hair down - I would have thought hair would be up under a net or something inside helmet to avoid snagging on ejection.

Excerpts from Wall Street Journal reporting. Map (not detailed) with this reporting shows strike against Tehran as well as southwest part of the country; could capital be struck from outside Irani airspace?
__________
[The strikes] left Iran even more exposed to further air attacks, with Israel destroying several of the country’s Russian-made S-300 batteries, according to an Israeli official.

“The message is that we don’t want an escalation but if Iran decides to escalate and attack Israel again, this means that we have increased our range of freedom of movement in the Iranian skies,” an Israeli official said.

........

The first crop of jet fighters destroyed air-defense batteries in Syria and Iraq, clearing the flight path for the second and third sorties to funnel through to Iran.

Their exact route, which hasn’t been shared by Israel, appeared to dodge airspace in Jordan after the Arab nation said it wouldn’t be part of an attack on Iran. Most of the attacks were launched from outside Iranian airspace, said Amir Aviv, a former senior Israeli military official who is often briefed by the defense establishment. Iran said Israeli planes attacked from within Iraqi airspace, around 70 miles from its border.

..... Iranian officials began privately telling Arab nations that the attack hit sites with great accuracy. In public, the regime said it led to “limited damage” and that Iran reserved the right to carry out a response at a time of its choosing. Four Iranian soldiers were killed in the attacks, Iran said.

And, of course, to comply with Iranian modesty regulations. When in Rome .....

VideoBREAKING: Israeli cabinet has decided to conduct another response against Iran soon due to the earlier drone attack on Netanyahu's residence, according to Channel 13

Saw a brief article that the Iraqi government filed a formal complaint about Israel's flight/strikes using their airspace without permission.

There is a strong possibility that the Ghadir Over-the-Horizon Radar (OTHR) in Khuzestan Province, Iran has been destroyed in recent retaliatory strikes by Israel. The Ghadir OTHR is an Iranian radar system operating within the 28-30 MHz spectrum.

A check of the 29-30 MHz spectrum using an SDR in Iraq indicates that the Ghadir OTHR is no longer detectable. Additionally, analysis of Sentinel-2 imagery and other publicly available images from various sources suggests that the radar may have been disabled.

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Defying the U.S.: Saudi Arabia Joins Iran in Red Sea Military Drills, Signaling a New Power Shift in the Middle East!

Defying the U.S.: Saudi Arabia Joins Iran in Red Sea Military Drills, Signaling a New Power Shift in the Middle East!

In a development shaking up Middle Eastern alliances, Saudi Arabia and Iran have planned a joint military exercise in the Red Sea, raising eyebrows around the world. This proposal, originating from Saudi Arabia, has put a spotlight on the kingdom’s evolving defense strategy and growing independence from longstanding alliances, particularly with the United States.Historically, Saudi Arabia has been one of Washington’s closest allies in the region, solidified through an “oil for security” relationship that benefitted both countries. U.S. arms fueled Saudi defenses, while Saudi oil ensured stable global markets. However, recent years have strained this relationship. The U.S. has increasingly focused on “offshore balancing,” prioritizing a more hands-off approach in the Middle East. This gradual retreat has left Saudi Arabia feeling exposed, facing regional security threats that challenge the limits of U.S. commitments.

Recent moves toward regional peace have transformed alliances in the Middle East. In a surprising twist earlier this year, Saudi Arabia normalized relations with Iran—its historical rival—under Chinese mediation. This marked a turning point for Saudi strategy, emphasizing regional stability through dialogue rather than a reliance on Western military support.

Since that reconciliation, the security landscape for Saudi Arabia has noticeably improved. The kingdom’s tense border skirmishes with Yemen’s Houthi rebels have dwindled, and critical infrastructure has faced fewer threats from cross-border attacks. Now, by initiating a joint military drill with Iran, Saudi Arabia is broadcasting a powerful signal: it is shifting towards strategic independence.

By bringing Iran into joint drills, Saudi Arabia aims to send a firm message on maintaining Red Sea security. Iran’s support of the Houthis has often put it at odds with Saudi interests, but a direct partnership between the two countries in securing these waters could symbolize a new alignment. For Saudi Arabia, the focus on stabilizing the Red Sea reflects a commitment to address regional threats head-on, rather than avoid them.

The Red Sea exercises underline a broader goal as well: to demonstrate that regional powers can self-manage their own security concerns, steering away from reliance on external superpowers. Saudi Arabia’s assertive role in proposing these drills indicates it may be recalibrating its security priorities, embracing peace and cooperation over Western-backed military dominance.

This move challenges the conventional order. By aligning with Iran for a joint Red Sea exercise, Saudi Arabia underscores a shared interest in preventing non-state groups, like the Houthis, from disrupting crucial international waters. The exercise also represents a reconfiguration of the Middle Eastern security architecture, where Saudi Arabia and Iran signal their resolve to maintain the Red Sea as a conflict-free zone, aiming to rebuild international confidence in the region’s stability.

The choice of the Red Sea for these exercises is loaded with significance. As one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, the Red Sea is essential for global trade and stability. But recent tensions have added peril to these waters. Following escalations in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Yemen’s Houthi rebels—closely aligned with Iran—have launched attacks on commercial vessels with Israeli destinations. This ongoing Houthi aggression has highlighted the instability that looms over the Red Sea region, forcing Saudi Arabia to take a stand.

In an increasingly multipolar world, Saudi Arabia’s actions send a strong message: the kingdom is carving a path of strategic autonomy. This joint exercise with Iran serves as a reminder that the Middle East is evolving, and long-held assumptions about alliances and rivalries are being rewritten. Will this initiative spur a lasting peace in one of the world’s most volatile regions, or will it simply mark a new chapter in the shifting sands of Middle Eastern politics?

Sources for this article include:China Military Online, china.com.cn.

The content Defying the U.S.: Saudi Arabia Joins Iran in Red Sea Military Drills, Signaling a New Power Shift in the Middle East! appears first here MagazineInternational

If Saudi Arabia `is` aligning itself with Iran is it going to re-align it's military? Presumably ditching all the American kit in favour of Russian, North Korean or Chinese?

Doubt it. Russian kit hasn't left the greatest impression as of late...
I guess they just diverify. For example they were currently interested in Rafale/more Typhoon.
Seems they are following the Indian approach.
The current situation in the Red Sea is hurting them badly and they saw that Western Military was not able to 'silence' the Houthis. They are now trying a different path.

worrying if true….CNN: https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/...003b6lu1vnybo2

Iran to carry out "definitive and painful" response to Israeli strikes, high-ranking source tells CNN

​​​​​​​ Israel’s recent attacks on Iran will be met with a “definitive and painful” response that will likely come before the US presidential vote, a high-ranking source told CNN on Wednesday.

The remarks signal a departure from Iran’s initial attempts to downplay the severity of the strikes carried out by Israel on October 25, which marked the first time Israel has openly acknowledged striking Iranian targets.

“The response of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the aggression of the Zionist regime will be definitive and painful,” the source, who is familiar with Iran’s deliberations, said.

Although the source did not provide an exact date for the attack, they said it “will probably take place before the day of the US presidential election.”

CNN has reached out to the Israeli military for comment on the remarks.

Why we are where we are now
 

A history of how - why we are where we are now.

https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/t...ent-extremism/

A reminder to look first at ourselves (The New World and Twentieth Century) !