Missiles launched from Iran towards Israel streak across the night sky as seen from Deir al-Balah, Gaza. Abdel Kareem Hana/AP
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said its missile strike on Israel was in defense of Iran’s interests and citizens, warning on X that the operation on Tuesday was “only a portion of our power.”
“This action was in defense of the interests and citizens of Iran. To let (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu know that Iran is not belligerent, but it stands firmly against any threat,” he wrote. “Do not enter into a conflict with Iran.”
In a message posted on X, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned in Hebrew that the “blows” against Israel would become “stronger and more painful.”
“With God’s help, the blows of the uprising front will become stronger and more painful on the worn and rotting body of the Zionist regime,” he said.
The barrage comes after Israel launched a ground operation across its northern border into Lebanon targeting the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. Israel killed Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike last Friday and decimated the leadership of the most powerful paramilitary force in the Middle East — ratcheting up fears of a new regional war.
Iran’s IRGC says it targeted 3 Israeli military bases in missile attack
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it targeted three Israeli military bases around Tel Aviv during a wave of missile launches Tuesday, according to the semi-official Iranian media outlet Mehr News.
The Israeli military has initially estimated that Iran fired about 180 missiles.
Iran's attack "totally unacceptable," US secretary of state says
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the Iranian missile attack against Israel “totally unacceptable” and added that the “entire world should condemn it.”
Blinken said this attack included “some 200 ballistic missiles.” Israel initially estimated that 180 missiles were launched at the country.
Israel “effectively defeated this attack,” Blinken added.
Blinken was speaking at the State Department ahead of a meeting with the Indian external affairs minister.
US Navy destroyers in eastern Mediterranean intercepted Iranian missiles, US defense official says
US Navy destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean Sea intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles during Tuesday’s launch, according to a US defense official.
The US currently has three guided-missile destroyers operating in the eastern Mediterranean: USS Arleigh Burke, USS Cole, and USS Bulkeley.
US destroyers also took part in intercepting Iran’s barrage of ballistic missiles and drones on April 13, shooting down several of the missiles launched at Israel.
Hamas praises Iranian missile attacks on Israel
Hamas praised the launch of Iranian missiles toward Israel on Tuesday, saying they avenged the deaths of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh and Abbas Nilforoushan, a senior commander in Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Those three figures have been killed by Israeli airstrikes in recent weeks and days, tipping the region closer toward a multi-front conflict.
“We affirm that this honorable Iranian response is a strong message to the Zionist enemy and its fascist government, on the path to deterring them and curbing their terrorism, as their crimes, arrogance, and violations of international laws and humanitarian norms have exceeded all limits,” Hamas said in a statement.
Some context: Israel has been engaged in a war against the militant group in Gaza since Hamas’ attacks on October 7 last year.
Iran-backed Hezbollah has meanwhile exchanged tit-for-tat attacks on Israel’s northern border since the same date, in solidarity with Hamas, and those confrontations have escalated in recent weeks.
Israeli official vows "significant response," as citizens told to leave shelters after Iranian attack
Israel will carry out a “significant response” to Iran’s attack, an Israeli official told CNN Tuesday.
Those warnings echoed the message from Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, who said in a televised message on Tuesday that “this attack will have consequences.”
“We have plans, and we will operate at the place and time we decide,” Hagari said.
The barrage of missiles fired at Israel on Tuesday evening caused citizens to rush to cover, but the Israeli military has said that no new attacks have been identified and it is safe for people to leave their shelters.
Jordanian military puts troops on high alert following Iran’s missile attack on Israel
Jordan’s military said in a statement that all units and formations in its armed forces’ general command have been put on “on high alert to confront any attempts that threaten the security and stability of the kingdom.”
Citing a military source in the armed forces general command, the statement added:
Here's what we know about Iran's attack on Israel, so far
Iran launched a missile attack on Israel on Tuesday in response to the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and others, according to a statement by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Earlier on Tuesday, the US said it believed that a ballistic missile attack on Israel was imminent after Israel launched a ground operation in southern Lebanon.
Here’s what we know about the attack so far:
Over 100 missiles launched: The Israeli military estimated that Iran fired 180 “projectiles,” but stressed that it was not the final count. CNN teams saw dozens of missiles over the cities of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa. CNN’s Jim Sciutto said he saw multiple missiles intercepted. Meanwhile, Jordan’s military said in a statement that “hundreds of Iranian missiles were launched toward Israel,” citing a military source in its armed forces general command. Some Iranian missiles made direct impact in central and southern Israel, an Israeli military spokesperson said.
No injuries reported as people bunkered: Sirens blared in Israel as people were told to bunker as the missiles came down, including the Israeli security cabinet, according to an Israeli source. There were no injuries following Iran’s attack, Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said.
Warnings of escalation: The Iranian Mission to the United Nations said Tuesday afternoon that Tehran’s response has “been duly carried out” and if Israel should “dare to respond or commit further acts of malevolence, a subsequent and crushing response will ensue.” An Israeli military spokesperson said “there will be serious consequences.”
US support: A US defense official said that US forces in the Middle East were “defending against Iranian-launched missiles targeting Israel.” Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were in the Situation Room at the White House monitoring the attack. The president “directed the US military to aid Israel’s defense against Iranian attacks & shoot down missiles targeting Israel,” a National Security Council spokesperson said. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have also been briefed on the attack, according to their respective spokespeople.
Israel hasn't identified new aerial threats from Iran, IDF says
Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Israel has not identified any additional aerial threats from Iran at this stage.
“You may leave the protected spaces, and should continue to follow the Home Front Command’s guidelines. I ask you to continue demonstrating responsibility and to be alert,” Hagari told Israeli people in a televised statement on Tuesday.
Iran fired 180 missiles at Israel, according to initial Israeli military estimate
The Israeli military’s initial estimate is that Iran fired 180 “projectiles” at Israel.
“At this moment, we understand it was approximately 180 projectiles,” an Israel Defense Forces spokesperson told CNN. “But this is not final, and (is) an initial estimate.”
Israeli military says Iran’s attack "will have consequences"
Israel has plans to retaliate in response to Iran’s missile attack, the Israel Defense Forces spokesperson said Tuesday.
Some Iranian missiles made direct impact in central and southern Israel, the military says
Some Iranian missiles fired at Israel Tuesday night made direct impact in central and southern Israel, the Israeli military spokesperson said.
“We carried out many interceptions,” Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a statement. “There are a few impacts in the center and some more in the south. At this stage, we are assessing the situation. We are not aware of injuries.”
In pictures: People shelter from Iranian missiles across Israel on Tuesday
People across Israel have sought shelter as a barrage of missiles were fired at the country from Iran on Tuesday night.