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Iran's state-run IRNA news agency said four people were killed, all with the military air defense. Iran's military said the strikes targeted military bases in Ilam, Khuzestan and Tehran provinces.

The Revolutionary Guard, which oversees Iran's vast ballistic missile arsenal, was silent, raising questions about whether anything was hit at its bases.

The Israeli military said its aircraft targeted facilities that Iran used to make the missiles fired at Israel as well as surface-to-air missile sites. It was the first time Israel's military openly attacked Iran.

Crucially, there was no indication that Iran's oil or nuclear sites were struck. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran's nuclear facilities were not impacted.

Iran insisted the strikes caused only "limited damage," and Iranian state-run media downplayed them.

The moves suggested at least for now that both countries are trying to avoid a more serious escalation.

Still, the strikes risk pushing the archenemies closer to all-out war. Militant groups backed by Iran — including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon — are already at war with Israel.

Iran's Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying it "considers itself entitled and obligated to defend against foreign acts of aggression." Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran has "no limits" in defending its interests and called for the U.N. Security Council to condemn Israel for the attacks.

But late Saturday, Iran's military issued a carefully worded statement suggesting any cease-fire in Israel's ground offensives in Gaza and Lebanon would trump any possible retaliatory strike.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a statement posted to X, gave his condolences to the families of the dead and warned against future attacks.

"Enemies of Iran should know these brave people are standing fearlessly in defense of their land and will respond to any stupidity with tact and intelligence," he wrote.

U.S. President Joe Biden told reporters Israel gave him a heads-up before the strikes and said it looked like "they didn't hit anything but military targets." His administration won assurances from Israel this month that it would not hit nuclear facilities and oil installations.

"I hope this is the end," Biden said.

On Oct. 1, Iran launched at least 180 missiles into Israel in retaliation for devastating blows Israel landed against Hezbollah. They caused minimal damage and a few injuries.

"If the regime in Iran were to make the mistake of beginning a new round of escalation, we will be obligated to respond," Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said.

Images released by Israel's military showed members preparing to depart for the strikes in American-made F-15 and F-16 warplanes.

The Iranian military said Israel's warplanes fired lightweight missiles at a distance of 62 miles from the Iranian border. The missiles struck air defense radar stations, the military said, some of which were already under repair.

Iran's mission to the United Nations accused the U.S. of complicity in the attack, asserting that the U.S. controls Iraqi airspace.

Explosions could be heard in Tehran until sunrise. After the strikes, the streets in Iran's capital were calm, with schools and shops open. There were long lines at the gas stations — a regular occurrence when military violence flares. Still, some residents seemed anxious and avoided conversations with a reporter.

Israel's attack did not take out highly visible or symbolic facilities that could prompt a significant response from Iran, said Yoel Guzansky, a researcher at Tel Aviv's Institute for National Security Studies who formerly worked for Israel's National Security Council.

Targeting air defense systems weakens Iran's capabilities to defend against future attacks, he said, adding that if there is Iranian retaliation, it should be limited.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told Yoav Gallant, the Israeli defense minister, that "Iran should not make the mistake of responding to Israel's strikes, which should mark the end of this exchange," according to Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary. The pair spoke Friday and Saturday.

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump briefly addressed the airstrikes.

"Israel is attacking — we've got a war going on and she's out partying," Trump said at a Friday rally in Michigan as Harris was holding an event with Beyoncé in Texas.

Meanwhile, Harris on Saturday called for "de-escalation and not an escalation of activities in that region."

The U.S. warned against further retaliation, and Britain and Germany said Iran should not respond. "All acts of escalation are condemnable and must stop," the spokesman for the U.N. secretary-general said.

Saudi Arabia and several other countries in the region condemned the strike. Hezbollah and Hamas also condemned Israel's attack.

Hamas-led militants stormed Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and abducting 250 others, sparking the Israel-Hamas war. Israel’s offensive in Gaza has killed over 42,000 Palestinians, Gaza health authorities say.

In Lebanon, Hezbollah warned 25 communities in northern Israel to evacuate Saturday, calling them "legitimate military targets" because Israel was attacking the militant group from there.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said the total toll over the past year there is over 2,600 killed and 12,200 wounded. Israeli strikes killed much of Hezbollah’s top leadership since fighting ramped up in September.