Iran, in response to an Israeli attack that killed senior Iranian military officials and destroyed some of its weapons factories on Friday, retaliated by launching a barrage of ballistic missiles at parts of Israel.
The Iranian attack, which took place late on Friday, caused panic, panic and panic among Israelis, with loud explosions heard from afar, some of which were caused by Iranian missiles hitting buildings and skyscrapers in Tel Aviv.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said: “The Israeli attack has led to a direct war. It is not permissible for Israel to strike us and move on without a response.”
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had carried out a brief, devastating attack on Israeli military bases and air force facilities on the orders of the Supreme Leader. Iranian state media reported that hundreds of missiles were fired at Israel.
The Israeli military said that the number of Iranian missiles was less than 100, most of which were intercepted or did not reach their mid-flight. Some of the missiles that did land landed in central Tel Aviv.
Unnamed US officials told Reuters that US forces in the Middle East had shot down some of the Iranian missiles. Jordan also said it had shot down some of the aircraft and missiles.
At least 40 people were injured in the Iranian attacks on Israel, according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. Israel’s emergency services said two of the injured were still trapped under collapsed buildings.
“There were a lot of missiles. Tel Aviv has never seen an attack like this. I see collapsed buildings and emergency services rescuing people from the rubble. This has had a profound impact on the hearts of the Israeli people.”
Israel continues to target Iranian weapons facilities, while Iran says it has shot down one of its warplanes and captured a female pilot.
