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Israel - Iran missile attack latest: Tehran threatens ‘more crushing attacks’ as US warns of ‘severe consequences’

Iran fired 180 missiles today in retaliatory attack for Israel’s campaign against Tehran’s Hezbollah allies in Lebanon

Iran launches barrage of missiles on Israel as explosions heard across Tel Aviv

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Eric Garcia

Washington Bureau Chief

Iran has threatened “more crushing and destructive” attacks after firing two waves of missiles at Israel as the US has warned of “severe consequences” after Tehran’s bombardment.

Iran’s revolutionary guards said they fired dozens of missiles on Tuesday in retaliation for Israel’s campaign against Tehran’s Hezbollah allies in Lebanon, including its killing of the group’s leader Hassan Nasrallah.

They warned that if Israel retaliated, Tehran’s response would be “more crushing and destructive”, Iranian state TV reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran “made a big mistake” and vowed retaliation.

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.

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Watch: Biden calls Iran attack ‘defeated and ineffective’ and says US ‘fully supportive’ of Israel

Biden calls Iran attack ‘defeated and ineffective’ and says US ‘fully supportive’ of Israel
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 22:47
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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

Tara Cobham1 October 2024 22:45
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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.

Tara Cobham1 October 2024 22:44
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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.

Tara Cobham1 October 2024 22:42
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Kamala Harris calls Iran a destabilising force in Middle East

US Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, said on Tuesday that Iran was a "dangerous" and "destabilising" force in the Middle East and Washington was committed to Israel's security.

The comments from Harris, who faces Republican former President Donald Trump in the 5 November US election, came hours after Iran fired ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israel's military campaign in Lebanon, drawing vows of a sharp response from Israel and the US.

No injuries were reported in Israel and Washington called Iran's attack ineffective.

"I'm clear-eyed Iran is a destabilizing, dangerous force in the Middle East," Harris said. "I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist militias."

"I fully support President [Joe] Biden's order for the US military to shoot down Iranian missiles targeting Israel," Harris said. "Initial indications are that Israel, with our assistance, was able to defeat this attack."

Harris added that Washington will work with its allies to disrupt what she called Iran's "aggressive behavior”.

Kamala Harris calls Iran a destabilising force in Middle East
Kamala Harris calls Iran a destabilising force in Middle East (AP)
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 22:42
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Watch: Starmer ‘deeply concerned’ after Iran launches missiles at Israel

Starmer 'deeply concerned' after Iran launches missiles at Israel
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 22:33
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Sunak stanks ‘unequivocally by Israel’s right to defend itself'

Rishi Sunak has said his party stands “unequivocally by Israel’s right to defend itself”.

The Conservative leader said: "Tonight's attacks on Israel by Iran are a stark reminder of the existential threat it faces. We stand unequivocally by Israel's right to defend itself including against Hezbollah in Lebanon."

Tara Cobham1 October 2024 22:30
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Israeli military says it will choose when to 'prove surprising attack capabilities'

The Israeli military said on Tuesday that it will choose when to “prove our precise and surprising attack capabilities” following Iran’s attack, adding that Israel had proven its ability “to prevent the enemy from achieving anything”.

Tara Cobham1 October 2024 22:15
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UK Foreign Secretary warns against ‘cycle of escalation’ as he condemned missile attack

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has warned against a "cycle of escalation" as he condemned the missile attack on Israel.

He said: "I condemn Iran's attack on Israel in the strongest terms.

"Today I warned Iran against taking action that could push the region further towards the brink. A cycle of escalation is in no-one's interest."

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has warned against a ‘cycle of escalation’ as he condemned the missile attack on Israel
Foreign Secretary David Lammy has warned against a ‘cycle of escalation’ as he condemned the missile attack on Israel (PA Wire)
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 22:00
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EU condemns Iran’s attack on Israel and urges regional ceasefire

The European Union on Tuesday condemned "in the strongest terms" an Iranian ballistic missile attack on Israel and called for an immediate ceasefire across the Middle East.

"The dangerous cycle of attacks and retaliation risks ... spiralling out of control," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell posted on X. "An immediate ceasefire across the region is needed."

Tara Cobham1 October 2024 21:45

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