striking back inside iran, retaliating for tehran's first-ever direct attack on israel. the pinpoint strike happening shortly before dawn, videos circulating online appearing to show explosions in the distance. a senior u.s. official telling abc news israeli fighter jets firing at least three missiles from outside iranian air space, destroying an air defense radar site that protects the natanz nuclear facility in central iran. but that nuclear facility not the intended target. new satellite images released today showing damage near this iranian air base. the strike meant to send a message to tehran -- that israel is capable of penetrating even iran's most sensitive sites, analysts say. >> we're not just going to go after the tentacles of the octopus. we're going to go after its head. >> reporter: abc news learning that israel notified the u.s. shortly before its attack. secretary of state antony blinken making it clear today the u.s. had nothing to do with the strike. >> the united states has not been involved in any offensive operations. what we're focused on is our