At 17:38 BST, Reuters reported that the Israeli military confirmed a large-scale missile launch from Iran towards Israel. Air raid sirens have been sounding across Israel’s largest cities, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, as rockets fired from Iran targeted various sites. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have urged civilians to seek shelter as explosions and sirens reverberate through the cities.

Witnesses reported hearing loud explosions above Tel Aviv, the economic hub of Israel, with similar sounds in Jerusalem, Israel’s capital. According to Israeli media, over 100 missiles have been fired, but it remains unclear how many have hit their targets or been intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome defense system. The situation is rapidly developing, with further reports of missile activity coming in by the minute.

Missile Attack Intensifies Across Israel

The Israeli military has confirmed that air raid sirens are now active nationwide. Eyewitnesses in Jerusalem reported seeing dozens of rockets passing overhead toward Israel’s coastal cities, with some being intercepted and others continuing toward their targets. Reports from Guardian journalists on the ground indicate that a second wave of missiles was launched just 10 minutes after the first, lighting up the sky with flashes of explosions and interceptions.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has taken responsibility for the missile strikes, claiming it was a retaliatory action in response to the recent killing of key figures linked to Iran, including Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. The strikes have left many questioning the regional stability, as Reuters reports that nearly 200 missiles have been launched from Iran, with air defenses attempting to limit the damage.

Retaliation for Israeli Military Action

Iran’s actions follow a series of Israeli military operations that targeted Iranian interests in Lebanon and led to the deaths of senior leaders, including Haniyeh, Nasrallah, and IRGC Deputy Commander Abbas Nilforoushan. Iran’s missile barrage, described by Israeli sources as one of the most significant in recent memory, is seen as direct retaliation for these actions.

Reuters has reported that Iraq, which borders Jordan to the east of Israel, has shut down its airspace as a precaution. Israel, too, has temporarily suspended all air travel in and out of Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv.

International Reactions and Escalation

As the missile strikes began, a senior U.S. administration official warned earlier today that Iran was preparing for a ballistic missile strike on Israel. The official stated that the U.S. was actively supporting Israel’s defensive preparations, which likely included the use of the Iron Dome defense system. According to previous reports, Israel successfully intercepted 99% of incoming missiles during Iran’s June drone and missile strikes.

This recent attack has also caught the attention of global news outlets such as BBC, Al Jazeera, and Reuters, with ongoing coverage of the situation. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, reportedly ordered the missile launch in response to Israeli actions, with a senior Iranian official confirming Tehran’s readiness for further retaliation should Israel respond.

Israel’s Response and Aftermath

At this time, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have reported no injuries on the ground despite the massive missile onslaught. In a televised address, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari emphasized that while there is no immediate threat of further attacks, Israel remains on high alert. Hagari also stated that Israel’s airspace has been reopened, though the country is preparing for possible retaliation.

Iran’s mission to the United Nations defended the missile launches as a “legitimate response” to Israel’s military operations against Hezbollah and Hamas, accusing the “Zionist regime” of terrorism and violating Iranian sovereignty. The Iranian mission warned that any further aggression by Israel would be met with a “crushing response.”

As of now, residents across Israel have been allowed to leave bomb shelters, and the immediate threat seems to have subsided. However, the region remains tense as both sides brace for the next steps in this escalating conflict.

With missiles still in the air and no clear resolution in sight, the conflict between Iran and Israel has reached a critical juncture. The use of ballistic missiles by Iran marks a significant escalation, and the world watches as both sides assess their next moves. Oil prices are expected to surge as a result of this conflict, adding yet another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation.