Iran fires missiles on Israel in revenge for Hezbollah leader's killing

The Israeli Army on Tuesday said Iran has fired missiles on Israel, hours after the US warned of an 'imminent attack' days after a series of attacks by Israel that killed more than 1,000 people in Lebanon and senior leadership of Hezbollah militant group, including its head Hassan Nasrallah. The Israeli Army said Iran had launched nearly 200 missiles targeting approximately 10 million civilians.

Residents were ordered to shelter in place and remain close to bomb shelters before the arrival of Iranian missiles. Israeli military spokesman said very few injuries after the Iranian missile strike and that the public can exit bomb shelters.

Israel's Air Forces have claimed to have shot down several of the missiles fired by Tehran as it marked yet another escalation of the conflict in the region that raised the prospects of an all-out war. The orders to shelter in place were sent to Israelis' mobile phones and announced on national television. TV stations reported sirens in parts of Jerusalem as well as central Israel.

“I made it clear that the United States is well-postured to defend US personnel, allies, and partners in the face of threats from Iran and Iran-backed terrorist organisations,” Austin stated. The dialogue also centred on the potential ramifications should Iran escalate its actions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has



reportedly entered a shelter and is receiving updates from there. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin earlier spoke to his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant where they discussed the severe consequences for Iran in the event Iran chooses to launch a direct military attack against Israel. The Israeli airspace has been closed following the attack, with Jordan and Iraq following suit.

"A short while ago, missiles were launched from Iran towards the State of Israel. Israelis are instructed to remain alert and precisely follow the Home Front Command's instructions. In the last few minutes, the Home Front Command has distributed life-saving instructions in various areas across the country. The IDF is doing and will do everything necessary to protect the civilians of the State of Israel," the Israeli Foreign Ministry stated in an official statement.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said in a statement that the missile launches were in retaliation for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Lebanon chief Hassan Nasrallah and other key members of the Iran-backed proxies in the Middle East. They further warned that if Israel retaliated Tehran's response would be "more crushing and ruinous", according to Iranian media.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gave the order to launch missiles at Israel, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Tuesday, adding that Tehran "is fully ready for any retaliation".