Israel-Iran live updates: Eight Israeli soldiers killed fighting Hezbollah in Lebanon, says IDF

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.

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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 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.”

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.

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:

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 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.

The Israeli military has said it is striking Hezbollah targets in Beirut in a post on Telegram.

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.”