Hundreds of ballistic missiles were launched from Iran towards Israel in Tehran’s response to intensive Israeli strikes as part of “Operation True Promise 3” on Friday after a day of attacks on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear and missile facilities.
Iranian media outlet Tehran Times reported that 100 missiles were fired at Israel from Shiraz in the initial phase.
“TV footages show that Israel’s capital Tel Aviv is in disarray and people seeking shelter as ballistic missiles are raining down on the occupied territories. The legitimate retaliatory attacks by Iran’s military is called ‘Operation True Promise 3’,” the report added.
It said the attack was launched as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was addressing the nation. Khamenei said that Israel initiated a war and said it will not be allowed to do “hit and run” attacks without grave consequences.
“The Zionist regime (Israel) will not remain unscathed from the consequences of its crime. The Iranian nation must be guaranteed that our response will not be half-measured,” Khamenei said in a statement
Khamenei said that Israel’s deadly attacks on his country will “bring it to ruin”, vowing retaliation.
“The armed forces of the Islamic Republic will inflict heavy blows upon this malevolent enemy,” Khamenei said, adding that the consequences of the Israeli attack “will bring it to ruin”.
Key developments so far:
Iran launches response as part of “Operation True Promise 3”
Israel launches more attacks in evening
Iran says top commanders, including Hossein Salami, killed
Israel says military intercepting drones fired from Iran in response
At least 95 casualties so far, including women and children
Iran’s supreme leader appoints new military commanders
Trump urges Iran to make deal, warns of more “death and destruction”
Iran says at least six nuclear scientists killed in attacks
Iran’s state news agency IRNA said the attack was the “beginning of Iran’s crushing response to the Zionist regime”.
It added: “A decisive response to the brutal attack by the Zionist regime began minutes ago with the firing of hundreds of various ballistic missiles towards the occupied territories.”
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they launched an attack on dozens of targets in Israel.
“The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps … has executed its decisive and precise response against tens of targets, military centres and airbases of the usurping Zionist regime in the occupied territories,” the Guards said in a statement carried by state media.
The United States is helping Israel intercept Iranian missiles, Axios reported, citing a senior US official.
Al Jazeera reported citing Israeli newspaper Haaretz that as per emergency services, 15 people were wounded in central Israel, including one with moderate injuries.
Images on Israel’s Channel 12 showed what appeared to be a building hit by a missile.
Iranian news agency Mehr and IRNA reported that an Iranian missile hit Israel’s Ministry of War as well, the former citing Israel’s Channel 13.
Air raid sirens sounded in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and loud blasts were heard, AFP journalists reported, as the Israeli military said it had detected a missile launched from Iran.
“A short while ago, sirens sounded in several areas across Israel following the identification of missiles from Iran toward the State of Israel,” the military said in a statement, with AFP journalists reporting booms over Jerusalem, similar to those heard during past interceptions.
A thick plume of smoke billowed over the coastal Israeli city of Tel Aviv, an AFP journalist reported. The smoke towered over the city’s skyscrapers as blasts echoed across the city, the journalist said.
Israel’s military sirens sounded across the country after the new salvo of Iranian missiles was identified.
Israel’s Home Front Command application, used to warn the public of incoming projectiles, said that sirens sounded across the country.
Israel’s firefighting service said its teams were responding to several “major” incidents resulting from an Iranian missile attack, including efforts to rescue people trapped in a high-rise building.
“Firefighting crews are handling several major incidents, mainly in the Dan region” around Tel Aviv, a statement said, adding that “firefighters are working in a high-rise building to rescue trapped individuals and extinguish a fire, as well as responding to two additional destruction sites. “
Later, the military said Israelis could leave protected spaces but urged them to stay nearby.
“Following the situational assessment, the Home Front Command published that it is now permitted to leave protected spaces in all areas across the country and to remain near them,” the military said in a statement.
Separately, Iranian state media also said the country’s forces downed two Israeli fighter jets during a massive Israeli air raid.
“At least two Israeli fighter jets were shot down in Iranian skies,” IRNA reported, without elaborating.
Iranian outlets Mehr and Tasnim reported that a female Israeli pilot was captured. However, Al Jazeera reported that Avichay Adraee, the Arabic spokesperson of the Israeli military, denied the reports.
Israel launched widescale strikes against Iran earlier today, saying it targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders, and that this was the start of a “prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon”.
Iran promised a harsh response and the Israeli military said Iran launched around 100 drones, with air defences intercepting them outside Israeli territory, while neighbouring Jordan said it targeted drones and missiles that violated its airspace.
