Tel Aviv: Nearly 100 missiles were launched from Iran toward central and northern Israel in two massive barrages, causing significant damage and injuring 41 people, according to the Israeli military and the national emergency service, Magen David Adom (MDA).
Air raid sirens sounded across Israel following an Iranian missile attack on the country.
The rumble of explosions could be heard throughout Jerusalem, and Israeli TV stations showed plumes of smoke rising in Tel Aviv after the missile strikes.
The MDA reported two people critically injured, two moderately, four lightly-moderately, while the remaining individuals suffered light injuries or trauma-related symptoms, including panic attacks.
In a statement, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said,
“In response to the aggression and criminal assault carried out this morning by the savage, terrorist, and child-killing Zionist regime on areas within the Islamic Republic of Iran—resulting in the martyrdom of several senior military commanders, prominent scientists, and innocent civilians, especially defenseless children—the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as the defensive and offensive arm of the Iranian nation, has launched a forceful and precise retaliation.
With reliance on divine power, the wise leadership of the Commander-in-Chief (may his shadow be extended), and the united demand and support of the noble Iranian people, the IRGC has executed Operation ‘True Promise 3’ against dozens of targets, including military centres and air bases of the usurping Zionist regime in the occupied territories.
The operation was launched with the sacred call ‘O Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS)’ on the blessed night of Eid al-Ghadir. Further details of this operation will be announced in the next statement to the honourable people of Iran.”
Taking to X, the Israeli army announced that “All of Israel is under fire,” noting that it had monitored the launch of a barrage of missiles from within Iranian territory toward Israeli territory.
US helps Israel shoot down barrage of Iranian missiles
American air-defence systems and Navy assets in the Middle East helped Israel shoot down the barrage of missiles, a US official said. The US has both ground-based Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Air Defence systems in the region capable of intercepting ballistic missiles. Naval assets also assisted, though it was unclear if ships fired interceptors or provided missile-tracking support.
The US is also shifting military resources in response. The Navy directed the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner to sail from the western to the eastern Mediterranean and ordered a second destroyer to move forward in case it is needed. US fighter jets are patrolling the skies to protect personnel and installations, while regional air bases have tightened security.
In a separate statement, the IDF said it had attacked earlier Friday Iranian Air Force bases in western Iran, destroying Tabriz Airbase, without providing further details.
It added that the IDF attacked and destroyed dozens of Iranian air defence targets, drones, and surface-to-surface missile launchers.
Israel’s defence minister warns Iran
Israel’s defence minister warned Iran on Saturday that “Tehran will burn” if it continues firing missiles.
Speaking after an assessment meeting with the army’s chief of staff, Defence Minister Israel Katz said that Iran will pay a heavy price for harming Israeli citizens.
His comments come after Iran launched retaliatory strikes on Israel overnight Saturday following Israel’s attack on Iran’s nuclear programme Friday morning.
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