Israel - Iran missile attack latest: Netanyahu vows retaliation as Tehran threatens ‘vast destruction’

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 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.

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.

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:

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.

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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.”

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 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.

Tom Tugendhat MP has called Iran’s attack on Israel today “barbaric” and a “horrible escalation” in the conflict in the Middle East.

In a post on X, the Conservative leadership candidate said: “Iran’s barbaric attack on Israel is a horrific escalation to this conflict.

“Tonight, more than ever, I will be praying for Israel.”

Israel has invaded Lebanon in a major escalation of the regional conflict as Iran retaliated by firing hundreds of missiles at major cities across the country, forcing millions of Israelis into bomb shelters.

Hundreds of air defence missiles flashed over the cities of Tel Aviv, Ashdod and Jerusalem in an attempt to intercept the Iranian rockets as sirens sounded throughout the country. The Israeli military said the attacks were aimed at 10 million Israeli citizens, though no injuries were reported in the initial findings.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was rushed into a security meeting in a secure bunker near Jerusalem as they worked up a response to the massive onslaught, officials said. US president Joe Biden announced it had directed the US military to aid Israel’s defence.

Tom Watling and Cosette Molijn, from Beirut, report: