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?
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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
Israeli army radio says flights to and from Ben Gurion airport halted
Israeli army radio said that take-offs and landings at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv have stopped after Iran launched missiles towards Israel.
Jordan temporarily suspends air traffic, state news agency says
Jordan on Tuesday temporarily suspended air traffic following a salvo of Iranian ballistic missiles fired towards neighbouring Israel, the Jordanian state news agency said.
In pictures: Iran fires missiles at Israel
Starmer calling international leaders ahead of a statement
The Independent understands that the prime minister is making a series of calls to international leaders in the Middle East as well as US president Joe Biden and European allies before issuing a statement, reports political editor David Maddox.
Sir Keir Starmer has already spoken to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the King of Jordan.
Other calls are ongoing as the US is understood to be leading efforts to help Israel defend itself against the Iranian missile attack.
UK assets in Cyprus are also understood to be on standby.
Watch: Iran launches barrage of missiles on Israel as explosions heard across Tel Aviv
Iran attack on Israel 'legal, rational, legitimate response,' Iran's UN mission says
Iran's attack on Israel is a "legal, rational, and legitimate response to the terrorist acts," Iran's mission to the United Nations in New York posted on X on Tuesday.
"Should the Zionist regime dare to respond or commit further acts of malevolence, a subsequent and crushing response will ensue. Regional states and the Zionists' supporters are advised to part ways with the regime," the mission wrote.
Four killed in shooting in Israel’s Jaffa and two attackers ‘neutralised’, Israeli police say
Four people were killed and seven wounded in a shooting attack in the Jaffa neighbourhood of Tel Aviv on Tuesday, Israeli police said in a statement.
They said the two shooters had been "neutralised" and the situation was "under control". The families of the victims had been notified.
Khamenei remains in secure location after missiles fired at Israel, says senior Iranian official
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei remains in a secure location after Tehran fired missiles at Israel, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Tuesday.
He was moved to a secure location after Israel assassinated Iran’s close ally Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah last week.
Full story: At least six people killed in suspected terror attack in Tel Aviv, say Israeli police
At least six people have been killed and nine wounded in a suspected shooting and stabbing terror attack in Tel Aviv, Israeli police have said.
The force said two “terrorists” started the killing spree on the Israeli capital’s light railway and continued on foot before being shot dead by civilians and officers in the neighbourhood of Jaffa on Tuesday.
The news broke in local media reports at around 5.15pm (BST), just moments before air raid sirens began sounding across Israel as Iran launched a barrage of missiles at the country.
Read the full story here:
At least six people killed in suspected terror attack in Tel Aviv, say Israeli police
Two ‘terrorists’ shot dead in Israeli capital, says force, as Iran launched barrage of missiles at Israel
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