Iran's Missile Onslaught: Israel Closes Airspace, US Deploys Troops As 10 Million Civilians Take Shelter

Iran launched missile strikes on Israel just hours after a US warning of an imminent attack, forcing Israeli civilians to take shelter as tensions escalate.
Iran launches missile attack on Israel

Iran launches missile attack on Israel

Just hours after a warning from the United States, Iran on Tuesday launched hundreds of missiles at Israel, forcing the Jewish nation - and its neighbours Iraq and Jordan - to close their airspace. The US ordered its troops deployed in the Middle East to assist Israel in wake of the Iranian attacks. The Israel Defense Forces said the attack "will have consequences". "We have plans, and we will operate at the place and time we decide," it said. In a post on X, it further said that approximately 10 million civilians were the targets of the Iranian projectiles and that all Israeli civilians were in bomb shelters. Meanwhile, Iran responded that "if Israel responds militarily to this operation, it will face a harsher response." Live updates here.
The Iranian missile strikes came shortly after the US warned that there were "indications that Iran is preparing to imminently launch a ballistic missile attack against Israel". "We are actively supporting defensive preparations to defend Israel against this attack. A direct military attack from Iran against Israel will carry severe consequences for Iran," the US said in its statement.
In a statement posted on X, the Iranian mission to the UN warned "Zionists", saying, "Iran's legal, rational, and legitimate response to the terrorist acts of the Zionist regime—which involved targeting Iranian nationals and interests and infringing upon the national sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran—has been duly carried out. Should the Zionist regime dare to respond or commit further acts of malevolence, a subsequent and crushing response will ensue. Regional states and the Zionists' supporters are advised to part ways with the regime."
Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres demanded an immediate halt to the escalations, saying, "I condemn the broadening of the Middle East conflict with escalation after escalation. This must stop. We absolutely need a ceasefire."
Israel Begins Ground Ops In Lebanon
Israel on Tuesday began its "limited, localised, and targeted" ground operation in southern Lebanon, two days after it eliminated Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike. Just shortly before the ground ops, Israel warned civilians residing in neighbourhoods in southern Lebanon to flee to safety. The IDF stated that the Israeli ground raid would target Hezbollah infrastructure in villages in south Lebanon which are seen as an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel. The IDF added that Operation "Northern Arrows" will continue along with the war in Gaza.
Israel's ground invasion comes a day after it informed the US that it was going to conduct "limited operations" targeting Hezbollah sites near the border.
Hezbollah 'Prepared To Fight Israel'
Meanwhile, Hezbollah's deputy leader, Naim Kassem, on Tuesday vowed to carry out a long drawn-out war with Israel after its top commanders were killed in Israeli bombardment. In his first speech since Nasrallah's death, Kassem said Hezbollah fighters were prepared to defend Lebanon and warned that if Israel launches a ground invasion, they are ready to fight back. The conflict has escalated with Hezbollah firing missiles into northern Israel, forcing over a million Israelis to seek shelter, while Israel has hit multiple Hezbollah targets and dismantled Hamas tunnels in Gaza.
Turkey Condemns Israeli Ground Op In Lebanon
Turkey condemned Israel's ground invasion in Lebanon, calling it "illegal" and demanding an immediate withdrawal. The Turkish foreign ministry warned that the offensive could spark a new wave of migration in the region.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Diana George author

An experienced editor with a decade in the newsroom, I blend my passion for history with a love for travel and gardening. When not crafting stories, y...View More

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