DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israel pounded Iran with a series of airstrikes, saying it was targeting military sites in retaliation for the barrage of ballistic missiles the Islamic Republic fired upon Israel earlier in October. Explosions could be heard early Saturday in the Iranian capital, Tehran. The attack risks pushing the archenemies closer to all-out war at a time of spiraling violence across the Middle East, where militant groups backed by Iran are already at war with Israel. The Israeli military said Saturday it had launched “precise strikes on military targets,” including missile production facilities. Iran insisted the strikes caused “limited damage.” The White House warned Tehran against retaliation, saying the strikes should end the direct exchange of fire between the Israel and Iran.