Israel - Iran missile attack latest: Netanyahu vows retaliation as Tehran threatens ‘vast destruction’
Fears of wider war raised after US says Iran fired almost 200 missiles in what Tehran called a retaliatory attack for Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah allies in Lebanon
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Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed retaliation for Iran’s missile attack as Tehran has threatened “vast destruction” will follow any Israeli response, raising fears of a wider war.
As US and UK leaders condemned the bombardment on Tuesday, Iran's armed forces warned direct intervention by Israel's supporters would provoke a "strong attack" on their "bases and interests" in the region, adding that any Israeli response would be met with “vast destruction” of Israeli infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Prime Minister warned: “Iran made a big mistake tonight – and it will pay for it.”
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps said the assault was in retaliation for Israeli killings of militant leaders and aggression in Lebanon against the Iran-backed armed movement Hezbollah and in Gaza.
The Israeli military said around 180 missiles were fired as civilians took cover in bomb shelters with sirens sounding across the country.
It came as Israeli police said at least six people were killed and nine wounded in a suspected shooting and stabbing terror attack in Tel Aviv, just minutes before Iran launched its strikes.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the attack “in the strongest terms” as he expressed his deep concern that the region “is on the brink”, while US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan warned of “severe consequences” after the “significant escalation”.
The bombardment comes less than 24 hours after Israel announced it was carrying out “targeted” raids into southern Lebanon. It is the first time Israel has invaded its northern neighbour since 2006, when the two engaged in a month-long all-out war.
Mapped: Where has Israel fired missiles around the Middle East?
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The killing of Hezbollah’s leader will make Israel no safer
‘We have lost everything’: Britons fleeing Lebanon say family was wiped out by airstrike
Watch: Harris says Iran ‘dangerous and de-stabling influence in Middle East’
Biden says consequences for Iran remain to be seen after Israel attack
US President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that there was an active discussion ongoing over how Israel would respond to an Iranian ballistic missile attack, and that the consequences for Tehran remain to be seen.
Biden, speaking at the White House, said he would be speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He said Iran's attack appeared to have been ineffective.
Starmer says Iran has ‘menaced the Middle East for far too long'
Sir Keir Starmer said Iran has "menaced the Middle East for far too long" as he condemned the attack on Israel.
"We stand with Israel and we recognise her right to self defence in the face of this aggression," he said in a statement in Downing Street.
"Iran must stop these attacks. Together with its proxies like Hezbollah, Iran has menaced the Middle East for far too long, chaos and destruction brought not just to Israel, but to the people they live amongst in Lebanon and beyond.
"Make no mistake, Britain stands full square against such violence. We support Israel's reasonable demand for the security of its people."
Iran’s armed forces warn Israel against response and its allies against direct intervention
Iran's armed forces said on Tuesday they would target the "bases and interests" of Israel's backers in the region if they directly intervene against Tehran, adding that any Israeli response to its missile attack would be met with "vast destruction" of Israeli infrastructure.
Iraq reopens airspace after closure due to Iranian strikes on Israel
Iraq's transport ministry announced the reopening of Iraqi airspace to incoming and outgoing civilian flights at Iraqi airports, state media reported on Tuesday, after a brief closure due to Iranian strikes on Israel.
Israeli attacks on Lebanon kill 55 on Tuesday, health ministry says
Fifty-five people were killed and 156 wounded in Israeli attacks across Lebanon on Tuesday, the Lebanese health ministry said in a statement.
Watch: Biden calls Iran attack ‘defeated and ineffective’ and says US ‘fully supportive’ of Israel
Full story: At least six people killed in suspected terror attack in Tel Aviv, say Israeli police
At least six people have been killed and nine wounded in a suspected shooting and stabbing terror attack in Tel Aviv, Israeli police have said.
The force said two “terrorists” started the killing spree on the Israeli capital’s light railway and continued on foot before being shot dead by civilians and officers in the neighbourhood of Jaffa on Tuesday.
The news broke in local media reports at around 5.15pm (BST), just moments before air raid sirens began sounding across Israel as Iran launched a barrage of missiles at the country.
Read the full story here:
At least six people killed in suspected terror attack in Tel Aviv, say Israeli police
Two ‘terrorists’ shot dead in Israeli capital, says force, as Iran launched barrage of missiles at Israel
Iran's action against Israel concluded unless Israel 'invites further retaliation', foreign minister says
Iran exercised "self-defence" against Israel and its action is concluded unless the "Israeli regime decides to invite further retaliation", Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in a post on X early on Wednesday.
Tehran launched a salvo of missiles on Tuesday against Israel in retaliation for the killing of several leaders of Iran-aligned armed groups.
Israeli military urges residents to evacuate new areas in Beirut southern suburbs
The Israeli military issued new orders for evacuation in the southern suburbs of Beirut early on Wednesday, warning in a statement that it will hit Hezbollah targets in buildings there.
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