On Tuesday evening, Iran launched a surprise attack on Israel, firing more than 200 ballistic missiles in just 30 minutes, targeting several areas across the country. Israel’s official radio confirmed the attack, stating that the Israeli Foreign Ministry urged residents to seek shelter immediately.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran announced that they had begun targeting key military sites in the occupied Palestinian territories with dozens of missiles. They warned that any Israeli military response would be met with even more destructive and powerful retaliatory strikes.
Here are the latest developments:
- Israeli Foreign Ministry: Air raid sirens are blaring across Israel, sending millions into shelters due to the missile barrage from Iran.
- Israeli Official Radio: More than 200 ballistic missiles were launched from Iran in the past half-hour.
- Iranian TV: The IRGC confirms the missile strikes on occupied territories.
- IRGC: The operation was executed based on a decision from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, with the full support of the military.
- IRGC: The attack was in response to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh and Hassan Nasrallah.
- IRGC: Military and security sites deep inside the occupied territories were targeted, with details to be disclosed later.
- IRGC: This is the first wave of attacks on the occupied territories.
- Iranian TV: The IRGC missiles targeted three Israeli military bases.
Israeli Response:
- Israel Today: Israeli airspace is closed, and flights are being redirected to alternative airports outside Israel.
- Israeli Army Radio: A building north of Tel Aviv was hit by a missile fired from Iran.
- Israeli Media: There have been 1,864 alerts in the past hour across Israel.
- Channel 13 Israel: Sources say Israel will respond forcefully to Iran’s attack, regardless of its results.
- Israeli Broadcasting Corporation: Israeli officials are considering a significantly different response this time.
- Maariv Newspaper: The Israeli ambulance service reports that three people were injured by the Iranian missile strikes in Tel Aviv.
- Daniel Hagari: No immediate air threats from Iran are detected, and citizens can leave shelters while remaining vigilant.
International Reactions:
- Al Jazeera Correspondent: Explosions were heard in Jordan after Iranian missiles and drones were intercepted.
- Jordanian Official (via NBC): Jordan will take similar action if any missile crosses its airspace.
- White House: President Biden ordered the U.S. military to assist Israel in defending against the Iranian attacks.
- Fars News Agency (Iran): More than 80 missiles hit their targets, with another wave of missiles headed toward occupied territories.
Israel’s Threats:
- Israeli Broadcasting Corporation: The Israeli Security Cabinet is expected to make a significant decision, which could spark a regional war.
- Israeli Army: The Air Force remains operational, and strong attacks will continue across the Middle East tonight.
- Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi: We will demonstrate our precise and unexpected offensive capabilities based on political leadership’s directives.
Hezbollah’s Confirmation:
- Hezbollah Leader (to Al Jazeera): Israel suffered direct hits, especially at airbases. Most objectives of the strike were achieved as planned, with significant injuries among Israeli soldiers.
Iranian President’s Statement:
- President of Iran: The attack was a defense of our interests and citizens.
- President of Iran: Netanyahu should understand that while we do not seek war, we will firmly oppose any threats.
- President of Iran: This attack is just part of our capabilities. Do not enter into conflict with Iran.
- IRGC: 90% of the missiles we launched on Israel hit their targets accurately.
- IRGC: If Israel commits any further foolish acts, we will retaliate with even more destructive force.
Iran had previously warned that the assassinations of Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah and Abbas Nilforoushan, the deputy commander of the IRGC operations, in an Israeli airstrike in southern Beirut last Friday, would not go unanswered.
