Iran: Air defense system repelled Israeli attack with 'limited damage'

Iran said on Saturday that its air defenses repelled an Israeli military attack.

Iran's air defense said in a statement that Israel "attacked targets in the provinces of Tehran, Khuzestan and Ilam."

The Iranian military broadcast the statement on state television, but did not show footage of the damage.

Iranian state media also downplayed the impact of the Israeli retaliatory strikes on Iran, describing them as "harmless."

Iranian state radio said explosions heard in western Tehran were merely the result of "the work of air defense systems."

Tasnim news agency reported that no missile attacks or impact on Revolutionary Guard bases had been recorded, and there was no official confirmation of the attacks in other parts of the country.

Tehran's comments came after the Israeli military said it had ended its airstrikes on Iran that began early Saturday morning.

It said its forces had attacked missile manufacturing facilities, surface-to-air missile systems and other air combat capabilities in several Iranian regions.

'Based on intelligence information, IAF aircraft struck missile production facilities where missiles fired by Iran at Israel over the past year were manufactured.

' At the same time, the IAF attacked additional Iranian surface-to-air missile systems and air capabilities.

The statement added that the airstrikes were in response to recent Iranian attacks on Israel and its citizens.

' Our aircraft returned safely. ' The retaliatory strike was carried out and the mission was accomplished. '