WASHINGTON

Washington was informed beforehand but there is no US involvement in the Israeli strikes against Iran, an American defense official said late Friday.

The White House also confirmed that President Joe Biden has been briefed on the strikes.

The White House said earlier that it was aware of the "targeted strikes against military targets in Iran” in response to Tehran’s Oct. 1 ballistic missile attack against Israel.

"We understand that Israel is conducting targeted strikes against military targets in Iran as an exercise of self-defense," National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett said in a statement.

That came after Israel announced early Saturday that its military conducted "precise strikes" against “military targets” in Iran, as explosions were heard in Tehran.

Syrian news agency Sana said explosions were also heard in the capital, Damascus.

There has been no further information disclosed.

Israel's state television, KAN, reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant were at the Defense Ministry building during the strikes.

In an evening report based on an unnamed source, KAN said Gallant and Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi approved the plan to attack Iran, pending a decision from the government.

Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reported that Israel targeted several military bases west and southwest of Tehran.

“In the Zionist regime’s attack, it appears that several military bases west and southwest of Tehran were targeted,” it said.

Iranian state television also confirmed reports of explosions in Tehran.

*Iclal Turan contributed to the story