Iran Israel attack LIVE updates: Israel accuses Iran of intent to 'kill thousands' of civilians

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Iran would face consequences for its missile attack on Israel, while Tehran threatened "vast destruction" in response to any retaliation, heightening fears of a broader conflict.

As the United States reaffirmed its unwavering support for Israel, Iran's military stated that any direct intervention from Israel's allies would trigger a "strong attack" on their "bases and interests" throughout the region.

"Iran made a big mistake tonight - and it will pay for it," Netanyahu declared at the start of a political-security meeting, according to a statement.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed the missile assault was a response to the recent Israeli killings of militant leaders and aggression against the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as in Gaza.

(Reuters)

Iran Israel attack LIVE updates: The Israeli military issued a fresh evacuation notice on Tuesday for residents in southern Beirut in anticipation of potential strikes on suspected Hezbollah targets within the stronghold of the Lebanese militant group.

Military spokesman Avichay Adraee stated on X, “You are situated near hazardous Hezbollah facilities, which the IDF (Israeli military) plans to target with force in the near future,” specifically referencing the Haret Hreik area in south Beirut.

Iran Israel attack LIVE updates: US Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, stated on Tuesday that Iran is a "dangerous" and "destabilizing" force in the Middle East, emphasizing Washington's commitment to Israel's security.

Harris's remarks came shortly after Iran launched ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israel's military actions in Lebanon, which prompted promises of a strong response from both Israel and the US. Dig deeper

Iran Israel attack LIVE updates: Iran acted in "self-defense" against Israel, and its actions are concluded unless the "Israeli regime decides to invite further retaliation," said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in a post on X early Wednesday.

Tehran fired a barrage of missiles at Israel on Tuesday in response to the killings of several leaders from Iran-aligned armed groups.

Iran Israel attack LIVE updates: According to a statement from the Lebanese health ministry, Israeli attacks in Lebanon on Tuesday resulted in the deaths of fifty-five individuals and left 156 others injured.

Iran Israel attack LIVE updates: The United States issued a warning to Iran on Tuesday, indicating that it should prepare for "severe consequences" following a ballistic missile attack on Israel that US officials claimed was "defeated" with the help of American warships, AFP reported.

President Joe Biden stated that the US was "fully supportive" of Israel in the wake of the missile assault and mentioned he would consult with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the response.

"The attack appears to have been defeated and ineffective, and this is a testament to Israeli military capability and the US military," Biden told reporters at the White House.

"Make no mistake, the United States is fully, fully, fully supportive of Israel."

When asked by reporters about the potential response to Iran, Biden replied: "That's in active discussion right now. That remains to be seen."

Iran Israel attack LIVE updates: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed his country's "steadfast commitment" to ensuring Israeli security and protecting civilians in light of Iran's missile attack, Reuters reported.

A spokesperson from Starmer's office indicated that the prime minister spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that afternoon, during which they discussed the escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Starmer condemned Iran's attack on Israel, which occurred while they were in conversation, "in the strongest terms," the spokesperson noted.

"It cannot be tolerated," Starmer stated to reporters later that day. "We stand with Israel and acknowledge its right to defend itself against this aggression. Iran must halt these attacks."

Iran Israel attack LIVE updates: Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard claims that 90 per cent of the missiles it fired at Israel successfully hit their intended targets.

In a statement aired on state television, the Guard asserted that the attack focused on air and radar bases, as well as security systems involved in the assassination of senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, The Times of Israel reported.

The statement emphasized Iran's right to defend itself in accordance with international law. The broadcast included footage showing missiles being launched in the dark from undisclosed locations within Iran.

(With inputs from Associated Press)

Iran Israel attack LIVE updates: A military spokesman told AFP that Iran's missile strike on Israel on Tuesday was intended to "kill thousands" of Israeli civilians and was “unprecedented.”

"The intention to target civilians is without precedent. Iran's objective was to kill thousands of civilians" by launching around 180 missiles at Israel, the spokesman stated.

Iran Israel attack LIVE updates: The European Union on Tuesday strongly condemned the Iranian ballistic missile attack on Israel and called for an immediate ceasefire throughout the Middle East.

"The dangerous cycle of attacks and retaliation risks ... spiralling out of control," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell posted on X.

"An immediate ceasefire across the region is needed."

Iran Israel attack LIVE updates: Pentagon announced that two US Navy destroyers launched approximately a dozen interceptors to counter Iranian missiles targeting Israel, Reuters reported.

Pentagon spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder informed reporters that no additional US military assets were involved in intercepting the missiles, all of which were launched from within Iran.

According to Jerusalem Post citing NBC News, Jordan permitted the US to operate within its airspace to intercept and destroy Iranian missiles, as confirmed by a US official and a senior Jordanian official.

The Jordanian official further stated that Jordan would extend the same permission for "any other missile flying over our airspace."

Iran Israel attack LIVE updates: After Iran fired over 180 missiles at Israel on Tuesday, the Pentagon stated that Iran launched twice as many missiles as it did during the previous attack on Israel.

Iran Israel attack LIVE updates: The United States stated on Tuesday that Iran must face "consequences" for its ballistic missile attack on Israel, and it will coordinate a response with Israeli officials, AFP reported.

"Certainly, there must be repercussions for Iran following this attack," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.

"I won't discuss the specific consequences today, but we will be working closely with our Israeli counterparts on this matter," Miller added.

Iran Israel attack LIVE updates: Following the launch of over 180 ballistic missiles at Israel, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei tweeted an image depicting a vast underground weapons cache, cautioning that “victory for Tehran is near.”

Iran Israel attack LIVE updates: On Tuesday, the United States urged every nation to join in condemning Iran's attack on Israel, which involved the launch of ballistic missiles, described by the State Department as a bold and unacceptable act, Reuters reported.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that, at this time, there were no reports of damage to US facilities resulting from the attack. He also noted that the US received no advance warning from the Iranian government regarding the impending strike.

Iran Israel attack LIVE updates: Iran's mission to the United Nations in New York stated that the country did not provide the United States with prior notice of its attack on Israel, according to Reuters.

In a statement, the Iranian mission said, “No notice was given to the United States before our response; however, a serious warning was issued afterward.”

Hours before the attack, the US indicated that it had "indications" suggesting Iran was preparing to strike Israel.

Iran Israel attack LIVE updates: In response to the series of missiles launched at Israel by Iran on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described Iran's missile attack on Israel as "unacceptable," urging the entire world to condemn it.

The UK also condemned Iran's attack on Israel "in the strongest terms," according to the Prime Minister's office.

Meanwhile, Spain's foreign minister condemned the Iranian assault on Israel and called for "restraint."

Iran Israel attack LIVE updates: The Palestinian group Hamas has lauded Iran's missile attack on Israel as “heroic”. In a statement, the group, which is currently engaged in conflict with Israel in Gaza, expressed that it “congratulates” the rocket launches executed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Iran “against vast areas of our occupied lands,” according to the BBC.

Iran Israel attack LIVE updates: Israeli media reported on Tuesday that Israel's military stated the air force will carry out "powerful strikes" across the Middle East tonight, just hours after Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at Israel, according to Reuters.

Iran Israel attack LIVE updates: The IDF reported that it intercepted “a large number” of the 180 ballistic missiles launched by Iran at Israel this evening, according to The Times of Israel.

The IDF stated that Israel's air defences were “effective.” The US also contributed to Israel's defence by detecting the threat from Iran and intercepting some of the missiles. The IDF mentioned that there were “isolated” impacts in central Israel and additional strikes in southern Israel.

According to the military, there was no damage to the “capability” of the Israeli Air Force during the attack, and the IAF's aircraft, air defences, and air traffic control are functioning normally.

Iran Israel attack LIVE updates: In a statement addressing the imminent threat from the Iranian regime against Israel, former President Donald Trump said, “The world is on fire and spiraling out of control. We lack leadership, and the country is being run by a non-existent president in Joe Biden and a completely absent vice president, Kamala Harris, who is preoccupied with fundraising in San Francisco—a city they have destroyed – while staging fake photo ops. No one is in charge, and it's unclear who is more confused: Biden or Kamala. Neither knows what is happening.”

He continued, “During my presidency, Iran was kept in check. They were financially strained, fully contained, and eager to negotiate. Kamala flooded them with American money, and since then, they have been exporting terror everywhere, unravelling the Middle East. Under my leadership, we experienced NO WAR in the Middle East, NO WAR in Europe, and harmony in Asia, along with no inflation and no catastrophe in Afghanistan. Instead, we had PEACE.”

“Now, the threat of war is everywhere, and the two incompetent leaders of this country are pushing us toward the brink of World War III. You wouldn't trust Joe or Kamala to run a lemonade stand, let alone lead the free world. It’s no surprise that Iran wants Kamala Harris to be president; they know they can take advantage of America as long as she is in power. That is why they have targeted me. If I were in charge, the events of October 7th, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan, and inflation would never have happened. If I win, we will have peace in the world again. If Kamala gets four more years, the world will go up in smoke.”

Iran Israel attack LIVE updates: Hamas described Iran's missile attacks on Israel on Tuesday as "heroic." The Palestinian militant group stated that it commends the Iranian strikes as retribution for the deaths of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoushan.

(With AFP, Reuters inputs)

Iran Israel attack LIVE updates: Israel pledged to retaliate after an Iranian missile attack on Tuesday, with an army spokesman stating that the response would occur at a time and place of their choosing, AFP reported

“This attack will have consequences. We have strategies in place and will act at the time and location we determine,” said Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari.

Iran Israel Attack LIVE Updates: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with Israeli PM Netanyahu and the King of Jordan following a series of missile attacks by Iran on Israel, Reuters reported, citing Sky News.

IranIsrael Attack LIVE Updates: Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari addressed the media shortly after the military announced that Israelis could leave protected areas, according to a BBC report.

“We remain on high alert, both in defense and offence. We will protect the citizens of Israel, and this attack will not go unanswered. We have prepared plans and will act at a time and place of our choosing,” he stated.

He also mentioned, “We have no reports of casualties, and this is due to your responsible actions.”