An Israeli airstrike on Iran on Friday damaged an air defense system, sending a message that Israel could bypass Iran’s defenses and incapacitate them. The strike targeted a defensive battery near Natanz, a crucial site for Iran’s nuclear program, in retaliation for Iran’s previous strike on Israel. This exchange of attacks has heightened regional tensions. The Israeli strike appeared to be a warning about its military capabilities, while efforts to de-escalate tensions between Israel and Iran were ongoing. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have caused civilian casualties and displacement, as the conflict with Hamas continues. In a separate incident, an explosion at a military base in Iraq used by an Iranian-backed armed group resulted in casualties. The U.S. military denied involvement in the strike, and Israel declined to comment.