Israel-Iran live updates: Netanyahu vows Tehran will pay for missile attack as more troops sent into Lebanon
Keir Starmer warns region on brink as UK confirms its troops responded to Iranian missile strikes on Israel
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Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed revenge on Iran as the conflict in the Middle Eastthreatened to spiral out of control.
Netanyahu warned Tehran would “pay a price” after it fired around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday evening following an Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
Millions of Israelis rushed to shelters before explosions caused by Israel’s iron dome air defence system intercepting Iranian missiles lit up the night skies above Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said hypersonic missiles had been used for the first time in the attack. In April, Tehran launched around 300 missiles and drones at Israel.
It comes as Israel announced that regular infantry and armoured units were joining ground operations in southern Lebanon, stepping up pressure on Hezbollah.
The addition of infantry and armoured troops from the 36th Division, including the Golani Brigade, the 188th Armoured Brigade and 6th Infantry Brigade, suggests that the operation has moved beyond limited commando raids.
Images this morning showed Israeli airstrikes raining down on areas over the border in Lebanon.
At least six people killed in suspected terror attack in Tel Aviv, say Israeli police
As Iran retaliates for Israel’s Lebanon campaign against Hezbollah – what comes next for the Middle East?
Mapped: Where has Israel fired missiles around the Middle East?
Is Israel’s Iron Dome missile defence system ironclad?
Netanyahu knows Western allies can do little about his Lebanon invasion – it is up to him how far this goes
ICYMI: Starmer condemns Iran’s missile attack and vows to stand with Israel
Sir Keir Starmer has said Britain stands with Israel and supports the “reasonable demand for the security of its people” after an attack on the country by Iran.
In a statement from Downing Street on Tuesday evening, the prime minister said Tehran has “menaced the Middle East for far too long” and called on the country to “stop these attacks”.
“We stand with Israel and we recognise her right to self-defence in the face of this aggression,” he said.
READ MORE:
Starmer condemns Iran’s missile attack and vows to stand with Israel
Sir Keir Starmer was speaking to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when Iran launched its missile attack on Tuesday night
Iranian missile debris reportedly falls in Jordan, injuring three
A Jordanian official said that parts of an Iranian missile fell in its territory on Tuesday after Tehran lauched a strike at Israel.
Government spokesman Mohammed al-Momani told state-run media outlet Al-Mamlaka TV that the missile debris injured three people.
Jordan, located between Iran and Israel, is a US ally and has a peace treaty with Israel. Jordanian Air Force units assisted in the interception of Iran’s missiles, according to a Jordanian official. Al-Momani said the nation “won’t be a place for anyone’s conflict” and that its citizens would also be the first priority of the Jordanian government.
Iran’s ambassador to the UN says missile strike was self-defense
Iran’s UN ambassador in New York has claimed Tehran’s missile strike against Israel on Tuesday was an act of self-defense.
Amir Saied Iravani, Iran’s UN ambassador, provided letters to the UN Security Council claiming the attack was a justified retaliation for Israel’s assassination of senior leaders in Hamas and Hezbollah.
He also issued a warning that action against Iran would be returned with “decisive” action, according to a report by the BBC.
Following the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran had made a “big mistake” that it would “pay for.”
Iran’s top military officer says Tuesday missile attack targeted Israeli military bases and Mossad’s headquarters
Mohammad Bagheri, the top military officer in Iran, appeared on state television early Wednesday local time and said Tehran’s missile strike targeted three Israeli military bases and Mossad’s headquarters.
Mossad is Israel’s intelligence agency. The bases targeted in the missile strike were Nevatim, Hatzerim, and Tel Nof, according to the New York Times.
Bagheri said that Iran intentionally avoided targeting any civilian structures or infrastructure.
I was traveling with Kamala Harris as the Iran-Israel news broke. This is what happened next
The Independent’s Eric Garcia recounts the moment he — working in the White House press pool — learned of Iran’s attack on Israel and what unfolded shortly after.
Read his account of the day below:
I was on the road with Harris as Iran-Israel news broke. This is what happened next
Political reporter Eric Garcia gives an inside view of the unsexy work of being on pool duty during an action-filled day
IDF says it hit ‘terrorist targets’ in Beirut suburbs
The IDF confirmed early on Wednesday local time that it had hit what it described as “terrorist targets” in the southern suburbs of Beirut. An evacuation warning was reportedly sent to the area prior to the strike.
A strike against Lebanon’s capital on Friday killed Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
On Tuesday, Iran responded to Israel’s attacks on Lebanon by launching more than 100 missiles at the nation.
Images appear to confirm that Iran used never-before-deployed advanced missiles to strike Israel
Images coming out of Israel following Iran’s missile attack appear to confirm that Tehran deployed its advanced Fattah missiles.
According to reporting by the New York Times, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has claimed that they did use the missiles in Tuesday’s attack, and that the missles had never been used prior to the attack.
WATCH: Iran launches 200 missiles into Israel as Netanyahu vows to retaliate
Israeli military says it is striking Hezbollah targets in Beirut
The Israeli military has said it is striking Hezbollah targets in Beirut in a post on Telegram.
Israeli military calls Iran’s attack ‘a severe and dangerous escalation’ and vowed consequences
The Israeli military has called Iran’s attack a “severe and dangerous escalation” and vowed consequences.
Israel Defence Forces Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said: “There were a small number of hits in the center of Israel, and other hits in Southern Israel. The majority of the incoming missiles were intercepted by Israel and a defensive coalition led by the United States.
“Iran’s attack is a severe and dangerous escalation. There will be consequences.
“Our defensive and offensive capabilities are at the highest levels of readiness. Our operational plans are ready. We will respond wherever, whenever, and however we choose, in accordance with the directive of the government of Israel.
“Iran and its proxies have been attacking Israel since the 7th of October on 7 fronts. Iran and its proxies seek the destruction of Israel.
“The Israel Defense Forces will continue doing everything necessary to defend the State of Israel and protect the people of Israel.”
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