**Iran Asserts Unyielding Defense Posture Following Israeli Air Strikes Killing Four**

Iran has declared its unwavering resolve to defend its territorial integrity in the wake of Israeli air strikes that killed at least four military personnel and damaged several radar systems. The attacks, which Iran's state media reported occurred in the early hours on Saturday, primarily targeted military bases.

"I think we've shown that our determination to defend ourselves knows no limits," stated Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, in an interview on the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's official website. The Foreign Ministry emphasized Iran's entitlement and obligation to protect itself against external aggressions following the strikes, which have stoked fears of escalating regional tensions.

The Israeli military initiated the strikes on multiple Iranian locations, including the provinces of Ilam, Khuzestan, and Tehran, in retaliation for what it described as months-long attacks by Iran and its regional proxies. By Saturday morning, the Israeli army announced it had fulfilled its objectives and warned Iran against any retaliation.

In response, Iran's air defense headquarters confirmed the strikes but reported that the attacks were "successfully countered" and resulted in limited damage only to radar systems. Casualties included two Iranian soldiers.

Al Jazeera's Resul Serdar, reporting from Tehran, indicated that the primary targets were Iran's air defense systems, missile bases, and drone facilities. Despite the severity of the strikes, flights across Iran returned to normal operations, with no airports, including Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran, being damaged.

Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari justified the strikes in a prerecorded statement, citing persistent Iranian attacks on Israel since October 7, including a recent missile barrage that killed one person in the occupied West Bank. The U.S. urged Iran to cease its attacks to halt the cycle of violence, with its National Security Council spokesperson emphasizing the defensive nature of Israel's response and its focus on military, not civilian, targets.

President Joe Biden expressed hope that this would mark the end of the confrontation, while Iran's mission to the UN accused the U.S. of complicity by allowing Israeli warplanes to operate from Iraqi airspace.

Several nations condemned the strikes and called for restraint, with analysts suggesting that a full-scale war might be avoided due to U.S. influence. However, the expectation of a retaliatory response from Iran remains high.

Tensions have been high between Israel and Iran, exacerbated by an October 7 attack led by Hamas on southern Israel. Since then, Israel's war on Gaza has resulted in over 42,847 fatalities and 100,544 injuries, further heightening fears of a broader regional conflict involving Iran and the U.S.