Iran launches wave of missiles at Israel & smoke billows over Tel Aviv after Ayatollah vow to avenge blitz on nuke sites
IRAN launched "hundreds" of ballistic missiles at Israel in multiple waves as the Supreme Leader fulfilled his promise of vengeance.
Multiple people were injured in Tel Aviv on Friday night as some missiles appeared to land, whilst others burned up in the sky as they were intercepted by Israel's air defence systems
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The counter-attack finally arrived following a day of fierce Iranian bluster, with the regime vowing that Israel would not "escape unscathed" after taking out nuclear and military targets.
As missiles stormed across the Middle East, an Iranian spokesperson said: 'A few minutes ago, the decisive response to the Zionist Regime's brutal attack began with the firing of hundreds of ballistic missiles at the occupied territories."
After his country had shouldered the onslaught, Benjamin Netanyahu told Iran that "more is on the way" and warned "the regime does not know what will hit them".
He also appealed directly to the Iranian people to "stand up and let your voices be heard".
Earlier today, Iran's war machine stood in ruins following a ferocious Israeli blitz which killed top generals, destroyed nuclear facilities, and shattered missile bases.
Israel, with its unmatched air force, powerful missile defences, and intelligence reach, demonstrated its ability to hit Iran at its core.
Iran, while weakened, still commands regional proxy networks like Hezbollah and the Houthis - forces that could be unleashed in asymmetric retaliation.
Earlier today, Donald Trump warned that even more brutal Israeli strikes are coming for Iran, urging Tehran to 'make a deal before it is too late'.
Writing on Truth Social on Friday, the US president revealed he had issued Iran a two-month ultimatum that has now expired.
It comes after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the attack as a "declaration of war" in a letter to the UN as crowds gathered in Tehran for anti-Israeli protests.
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Which Iranian military chiefs and scientists were killed?
ISRAEL has dealt a major blow to Iran's command chain - wiping out several of its top brass.
Key nuclear scientists have also been eliminated in Israel's overnight strikes.
Those killed include:
Generals
Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of the armed forces and the second-highest commander after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Gen. Hossein Salami, commander in chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps
Gen. Gholamali Rashid, deputy commander in chief of the armed forces
Ali Shamkhan, key adviser and confidant of Khamenei
Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGC Aerospace Forces
Nuclear scientists
Fereydoun Abbasi, the former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran
Dr Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, theoretical physicist and president of the Islamic Azad University in Tehran
Iran's Nournews reported that 78 people were killed and 329 others injured in Israeli attacks on Tehran.
Israel continued to blast Iranian targets throughout the day, and expanded the scope of its attacks to at least three nuclear sites.
The blitz on nuclear sites was spearheaded by a secret drone base Israel built deep inside enemy territory.
Elite troops smuggled kamikaze drones and precision weapons into Iran in one of the most audacious military operations ever attempted.
Their mission - planned for years and backed by intelligence - paved the way for 200 Israeli warjets to blast 100 targets across the rogue Islamist nation.
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Israeli commanders said the overnight raids were the start of up to two weeks of action intended to wipe out Iran's atom threat.
Israel appears to have defied urges for restraint - including from US President Donald Trump - and said they were responding to the imminent danger that Tehran would obtain a nuclear weapon.
The strikes came just days before Iran was due to meet with the US for another round of nuclear talks to try and strike a deal.
In a ferocious show of force, around 200 Israeli fighter jets roared across Iranian skies early Friday.
The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) said they used 330 munitions on 100 targets, including uranium enrichment plants and key command centres.
Major strikes have taken place on Iran's military bases, the homes of top officials and nuclear sites such as the uranium enrichment base at Natanz .
And the heads of Iran's armed forces - Revolutionary Guards commander Hossein Salami and Iranian chief of state Mohammad Bagheri - have both been killed.
At least two nuclear scientists - Fereydoon Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi - have also been killed, says Iranian state TV.
2 minutes ago By Patrick Harrington
Iran has 'crossed red lines' - Israeli Defence Minister
Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Iran that it had "crossed red lines" with strikes on civilian centres, after Tel Aviv was hit by ballistic missiles.
He said: "Iran crossed red lines when it dared to fire missiles at civilian population centers in Israel.
"We will continue to protect the citizens of Israel and ensure that the ayatollah regime pays a very heavy price for its criminal actions."
10 minutes ago By Patrick Harrington
Israelis told they can leave shelters
Israelis can now leave air raid shelters but must stay near them in case of further attacks, the military said.
The IDF issued instructions earlier this evening telling residents to stay in shelters and minimise movement in open areas.
17 minutes ago By Patrick Harrington
Netanyahu: Iran won't know what hit them
Benjamin Netanyahu directly addressed the Iranian people on Friday night, and said the fight is not against them but the regime.
He warned "more is on the way" as Israel remains set on exploiting Iran's moment of weakness.
The PM said: "The regime does not know what hit them, or what will hit them. It has never been weaker.
"This is your opportunity to stand up and let your voices be heard."
He also provocatively repeated a slogan used by Iranians protesting the regime: "Woman, Life, Freedom. Zan, Zendegi, Azadi."
Today, 19:45 By Patrick Harrington
Missiles overhead heading for Tel Aviv
Today, 19:43 By Patrick Harrington
Sirens wailing again in Jerusalem
Sirens have started up again as Israel braces for a second round of missiles.
Today, 19:35 By Patrick Harrington
Second wave on the way
Israel's military has said that a second wave of missiles has been launched from Iran.
It also confirmed the explosions heard in Israel were from either interceptions or impacts.
Today, 19:17 By Patrick Harrington
Smoke rises over Tel Aviv
By
Iranian missiles arrive
A volley of Iranian missiles are believed to have reached Israel.
The thud of interceptions rang out across the country as Israel's missile defence systems kicked in.
The sky is alight over Israel with missiles and shrapnel.
Even if missiles are intercepted, there is the danger of falling shrapnel injuring people on the ground.
Today, 19:09 By Patrick Harrington
Israel says missiles launched from Iran
The Israeli military says it has identified missiles recently launched towards the country from Iran.
This could be the much anticipated Iranian retaliation to today's strikes.
It says residents across the country should stay close to protected spaces and minimise movement in open areas.
Gatherings should also be avoided, it adds, and if an alert is issued, people should go to a protected space until an official update is provided.
Sirens are wailing in Jerusalem as the country braces for ballistic missiles.
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