Iran says it has fired dozens of ballistic missiles at important military and security targets in Israel, in response to the mass killing of the people of Gaza and Lebanon, as well as of Hamas, Hezbollah and IRGC leaders and commanders.
Israel says Iran fired some 180 missiles into the country, a large number of which, it added, were intercepted.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says Israel will face “crushing” attacks if it responds.
Earlier, Israel said its troops entered southern Lebanon for what it called “limited” raid but Hezbollah denied they crossed into the territory.
Meanwhile, Israeli attacks continue across the Gaza Strip, killing at least 29 Palestinians.
In Gaza, at least 41,638 people have been killed and 96,460 injured in Israeli attacks since October.
In Israel, at least 1,139 people were killed in the Hamas-led attacks on October 7 and more than 200 people were taken captive.
- Iran’s IRGC claims 90 percent of missiles hit targets
The IRGC has released a second statement, calling the operation True Promise 2, a follow-up to their attack in April.
The IRGC said: Some “strategic centres” inside Israel were hit with Iranian-made missiles.
A number of air and radar bases, “centres of conspiracy and design of assassinations against the leaders of resistance” especially Ismail Haniyeh, Hassan Nasrallah and IRGC commanders, were hit.
Despite protection from the most advanced air defence systems, 90 percent of the projectiles successfully hit their targets, “and the Zionist regime is panicking from the intelligence and operational control” of the IRGC.
This operation was carried out within the framework of Iran’s legitimate right to defend itself and based on international law, and any “stupidity” by the enemy will be responded to decisively and destructively.
- Pentagon says US forces remain ‘well postured’ in Middle East
Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder said US forces remain “well postured throughout the Middle East” to protect its personnel and support Israel’s defence.
- Here’s what else he said
Ryder said he was not aware that Iran had given Washington any prior notice of the attack.
He said the attack was “twice the scope” of a previous Iranian attack in April.
He declined to respond to reports that Iran had used its Fattah hypersonic ballistic missile for the first time.
Ryder said US naval destroyers fired a dozen interceptors during today’s attacks.
He said no US personnel or infrastructure were hit.
He remained vague on whether the US would join Israel in any further attacks on Iran, although he said there “will be security and economic consequences” for Iranian escalation.
He said the attack was meant to cause real damage: “You don’t launch that many missiles at a target without the intent of hitting something.” (AlJazeera)