The Israeli military has confirmed that Iran has unleashed a barrage of missiles into Israel tonight - with the Islamic Republic defying warnings that any such attack would invite 'severe consequences'.
Air raid sirens sounded as missiles began raining down on Israel on Tuesday, with some rockets dramatically exploding into bright orange flames near Tel Aviv.
As Iran unleashed a sustained wave of attacks, other missiles burst into flames in the air as they appeared to be intercepted by Israel's 'Iron Dome' defence system.
The Israeli military has vowed that there 'will be repercussions for this attack', with the ambulance service reporting no injuries from the onslaught.
The expected Iranian attack marks a major escalation in the Israel-Hamas war and follows a previous bombardment in April which saw hundreds of drones and missiles launched at the country.
With the world holding its breath over an all-out war in the Middle East, the White House said President Joe Biden has ordered the US military to 'aid Israel's defence' and shoot down Iranian missiles.
Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee in next month's US presidential election, are both monitoring Iran's attack on Israel from the White House situation room.
The IDF has not confirmed which missiles were used, but the US had warned earlier that it was preparing for Iran to launch ballistic missiles this evening in yet another major escalation that leaves the Middle East on the brink.
These can reach their targets in just 12 minutes are expected to be used in the attack, rather than drones or cruise missiles which can take longer, a source told Axios.
Israeli media are reporting that between 150 and 200 missiles have been fired into Israel in what Iran has confirmed is a revenge attack for Israel's assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
The salvo of rockets, seen raining down on Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, comes as Israeli police battle a terrorist attack in Jaffa, southern Israel, with Israeli media reporting that at least eight people have been shot dead.
The devastating attack on Israel comes just hours after the IDF launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon to carry out raids against Iranian-backed Hezbollah targets.
As missiles continued to bombard Israel, the IDF said: 'A short while ago, missiles were launched from Iran towards the State of Israel. You are instructed to remain alert and precisely follow the Home Front Command's instructions.
- Hezbollah launched rocket attacks on towns and cities across Israel
- IDF claimed to have conducted cross-border raids on southern Lebanon
- Israeli airstrikes continue to devastate targets across Lebanon and Syria
- Lebanon an UN agency appealed for $400 million in humanitarian aid
Iran's Revolutionary Guards threatened to carry out 'crushing attacks' against Israel if it retaliated after a missile attack by the Islamic republic.
'If the Zionist regime reacts to Iranian operations, it will face crushing attacks,' the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in a statement carried by Iranian news agency Fars.
They added: 'In response to the martyrdom of (Hamas leader) Ismail Haniyeh, Hassan Nasrallah and (Guards commander) Nilforoshan, we targeted the heart of the occupied territories (Israel).'
Meanwhile IDF spokesman Avichay Adraee told Lebanese citizens to flee north of the Awali River, some 60 kilometres (36 miles) from the border, raising fears that the IDF may intend to send its forces deep into southern Lebanon or step up the intensity of airstrikes.
'You must head north of the Awali River to save yourselves and leave your houses immediately,' said the statement.
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