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?
Israel kills Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in strike marking major escalation in conflict
Israel-Hezbollah conflict: Why is Lebanon being attacked and will there be a ceasefire?
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
Starmer warns he is ‘deeply concerned region is on the brink’
Sir Keir Starmer has warned he is “deeply concerned that the region is on the brink”.
In a televised address from Downing Street, the UK Prime Minister also said that Britain stands with Israel.
Iran calls on UN to prevent further escalation in Middle East tensions, foreign ministry statement says
Iran's foreign ministry called on the United Nations Security Council to take "meaningful action" to prevent threats against regional peace and security, after Tehran launched a salvo of missiles on Tuesday against Israel in retaliation for the killing of several leaders of Iran-aligned armed groups.
Starmer condemns Iran’s missile attack and vows to protect Israel
Sir Keir Starmer “condemned Iran’s attack on Israel in the strongest terms” after speaking to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday night, a Downing Street spokesperson has said.
The attack on Israel “began during the leader’s conversation,” the spokesperson said. In the same call, Sir Keir also “underlined the importance of a ceasefire in Lebanon”.
Iran said it fired dozens of missiles into Israel on Tuesday.
Caitlin Doherty reports:
Starmer condemns Iran’s missile attack and vows to protect Israel
Sir Keir Starmer was speaking to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when Iran launched its missile attack on Tuesday night
Iran says they used hypersonic ‘fattah’ missile ‘for first time’ in attack, reports state TV
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have said they used hypersonic ‘fattah’ missiles “for the first time” in its missile attack on Israel on Tuesday, Iranian state TV has reported.
In a statement, they also updated the number of successful targets they claimed to have hit in Israel to 90 per cent.
Jordan reopens airspace, state news agency says
Jordan reopened its airspace on Tuesday following a salvo of Iranian ballistic missiles fired towards neighbouring Israel, the Jordanian state news agency reported.
Iran did not give US prior notice of Israel attack, says Iran's UN mission
Iran did not give the United States prior notice of its attack on Israel on Tuesday, Iran's mission to the United Nations in New York said.
"No notice was given to the United States prior to our response; however, a serious warning was issued afterwards," the Iranian mission said in a statement.
Iran’s ballistic missile attack appears to have been defeated, says US National Security adviser
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday that Iran's attack on Israel appeared to have been defeated, although President Biden's administration was still monitoring a "fluid" situation.
Sullivan said the administration was tracking the reported death of a Palestinian civilian in the West Bank.
US destroyers joined Israel against ‘defeated and ineffective’ Iranian attack, says US official
US destroyers joined Israeli air units against the “defeated and ineffective” Iranian ballistic missile attack, a US official has said.
Iran’s President says Tehran issued ‘decisive response’ against Israel
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Tehran issued a “decisive response” against Israel.
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.
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