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
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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.
Mapped: Where has Israel fired missiles around the Middle East?
Israel kills Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in strike marking major escalation in conflict
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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
Iran say they targeted three Israeli military bases in missile attack, reports local media
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards has said they targeted three Israeli military bases in its missile attack, according to an Iranian news agency.
US calls on every nation to join it in condemning Iran's attack on Israel
The United States on Tuesday called on every nation in the world to join it in condemning Iran's attack on Israel after Tehran fired a salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel, which the State Department said was a brazen and unacceptable attack.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Washington at this time was not aware of any damage to US facilities in the attack. He said the US had no warning from the government of Iran that they were going to launch such an attack.
US Navy destroyers fired dozen interceptors against Iranian missiles, Pentagon says
The Pentagon said on Tuesday that two US Navy destroyers fired about a dozen interceptors against Iranian missiles aimed at Israel.
Pentagon spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder told reporters that no other US military assets were used to shoot down the missiles, which were all fired from inside Iran.
US condemns Iran’s attack as significant escalation warning of ‘severe consequences'
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has condemned Iran's ballistic missile attack on Israel as a significant escalation, warning of “severe consequences” after he said the country launched almost 200 missiles.
He added that Israel appeared to have defeated the attack without loss of life.
"This is a significant escalation by Iran, a significant event, and it is equally significant that we were able to step up with Israel and create a situation in which no one was killed in this attack in Israel," Sullivan told reporters at the White House on Tuesday.
"We have made clear that there will be consequences, severe consequences, for this attack, and we will work with Israel to make that the case," he said.
Sullivan said President Biden's administration was still monitoring the situation and consulting with the Israelis on next steps in terms of a response. He also said that the administration was tracking the reported death of a Palestinian civilian in the West Bank.
He added that the US coordinated with the Israeli military to help defend Israel from the attack.
US working with airlines to provide additional flights out of Lebanon with seats for Americans
The United States is working with airlines to provide additional flights out of Lebanon with more seats for Americans, the State Department said on Tuesday, after Israel said overnight that its troops had launched ground raids into Lebanon.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters that around 6,000 US citizens in Lebanon have registered with the U.S. for information on how to depart the country, though he said not all were seeking assistance with departing.
White House says Biden will ‘work with Israel’ to ensure ‘severe consequences’
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that the US will work closely with Israeli officials to determine what the response would be to nearly 200 missile attacks aimed at Israel on Tuesday, while declaring that there would be “severe consequences” for the strike.
At a White House press briefing that took place minutes after the last blasts ended in Tel Aviv, Sullivan said that Iran’s strikes marked a serious escalation of the conflict which began on October 7, 2023 and now threatens to engulf much of the Middle East. He added that initial conversations had taken place between the White House and Israeli prime minister’s office in the wake of the attacks, though he did not read out any plans for a call between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“This is a fluid situation. We will consult with the Israelis on next steps in terms of the response and how to deal with what Iran has just done, and we will continue to monitor for further threats and attacks from Iran and its proxies,” said the US national security adviser. “We are particularly focused on protecting US service members in the region.”
My colleague John Bowden reports from Washington DC:
White House says Biden will enforce ‘severe consequences’ after Iran attack on Israel
Nearly 200 missiles fired at Tel Aviv; some intercepted by Israeli, US forces
As Iran retaliates for Israel’s Lebanon campaign against Hezbollah – what comes next for the Middle East?
The missiles lit up the sky across Israel, explosions ringing out as they were intercepted or they hit the ground. Civilians across the country were asked to stay in shelters while air raid sirens blared.
It is not the first time Iran has fired on Israel this year, Tehran launched more than 330 drones and missiles against its most bitter adversary in April – retaliating for a strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria. That attack, the first such strike ever, took a number of hours to complete compared to the one on Tuesday night, with the drones taking some time to reach Israel. Alongside help from allies such as the US and the UK, Israel said it had intercepted 99 per cent of the projectiles that day, in what was a highly-telegraphed move by Iran.
In the wake of that barrage, Tehran said it considered the matter “concluded” although it would respond if Israel struck back.
Read more here:
As Iran retaliates against Israel – what comes next for the Middle East?
The region, and Western nations, will be hoping to see tensions simmer down, writes Chris Stevenson – but given the leaders involved, that may br a forlorn hope
Starmer condemns Iran’s attack on Israel ‘in strongest terms’, says Downing Street
Sir Keir Starmer has condemned Iran’s attack on Israel “in the strongest terms” as he expressed the UK’s “steadfast commitment” to Israeli security.
A Downing Street spokesperson said the British prime minister spoke with Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday afternoon, and the leaders discussed the escalating situation across the Middle East, when Iran’s attack on Israel began during the leaders’ conversation.
The spokesperon said: “The Prime Minister spoke to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this afternoon, and they discussed the escalating situation across the Middle East.
“The Prime Minister condemned Iran’s attack on Israel today in the strongest terms, which began during the leaders’ conversation, and expressed the UK’s steadfast commitment to Israeli security and the protection of civilians.
“During the call, the Prime Minister also underlined the importance of a ceasefire in Lebanon to allow space for a political solution in line with UNSC Resolution 1701.
“The Prime Minister also raised the situation in Gaza and the importance of a ceasefire and action to bring home the hostages.”
Israeli military says Iran fired around 180 missiles hitting several targets
The Israeli military has said around 180 missiles were fired towards Israel from Iran in Tuesday’s attack.
An Israeli security official said “several” targets were hit, with the damage currently assessed.
They added that the Israeli Air Force intercepted most of the missiles, operating in an “effective and precise manner”.
Israeli media report Israel military will conduct 'powerful strikes' tonight throughout the Middle East
Israeli media cited Israel's military as saying on Tuesday that the air force will continue conducting "powerful strikes" tonight throughout the Middle East, hours after Iran launched a salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel.
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