Not surprisingly, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that the missile strike is a retaliation for Israel’s recent killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut. They also cited the July killing of a Hamas leader in Tehran as motivation.
In a post on X, the Iranian Mission to the United Nations stated: “Iran’s legal, rational, and legitimate response to the terrorist acts of the Zionist regime — which involved targeting Iranian nationals and interests and infringing upon the national sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran— has been duly carried out.”
They warned that if Israel responds to this attack or carries out “further acts of malevolence,” they can expect a “subsequent and crushing response.”
Israelis are being instructed to take shelter when they hear sirens, which are sounding across the country, and the IDF says it is prepared for whatever comes its way. Both Israel and Jordan have closed their airspace.
In a statement, IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said: "The IDF is doing and will continue to do everything necessary to protect the civilians of Israel. The IDF is fully prepared for both defense and offense at peak readiness. Continue to act responsibly and keep calm, as you have done so far, and make sure to follow the guidelines. We are strong and can handle this event as well."
Many of the missiles being launched by Iran have been intercepted over Tel Aviv, but quite a few are making impact, with witnesses reporting they have a "forceful" speed and trajectory. Footage is being shared on social media showing dramatic scenes of rocket fire lighting up the skyline.
The Israeli security cabinet is said to be hiding out in Jerusalem in an emergency bunker as dozens of missiles fly over Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa. The U.S. believed that Iran would be targeting the headquarters of the Mossad as well as two air bases.
Right now, President Biden is in the White House situation room monitoring the attack with Vice President Kamala Harris, and a statement from the White House indicates that he has directed the U.S. military to help Israel defend itself from the attacks and shoot down any missiles targeting the Jewish state. The U.S. Navy currently has three guided missile destroyers situated in the eastern Mediterranean for this purpose.
Attack was widely expected in response to Hezbollah leader's death
Earlier today, Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder said that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke to Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant to talk about the threat of the imminent attack and said that there would be “severe consequences for Iran in the event Iran chooses to launch a direct military attack against Israel.”
There are also reports of a potential terror attack near Tel Aviv. Eight people were killed and an unknown number were injured in a shooting in Jaffa when terrorists opened fire on a group of people.
The news comes after the U.S. issued a warning that Iran was preparing to launch a ballistic missile attack against Israel after seeing increased movement of missiles in Iran, although they conceded that they were not sure what the scope of the attack would be.
Fireworks and celebratory gunfire are being reported in Beirut, while people in Gaza cheered as Iranian rockets flew overhead toward Israel.
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