Seven injured in Israel; Khamenei says consequences of Israeli attack “will bring it to ruin”; IRGC says dozens of targets attacked; Israel launches evening strikes after earlier attacks.
Hundreds of ballistic missiles were launched from Iran towards Israel in Tehran’s response to intensive Israeli strikes as part of “Operation True Promise 3” on Friday after a day of attacks on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear and missile facilities.
Iranian media outlet Tehran Times reported that 100 missiles were fired at Israel from Shiraz in the initial phase.
“TV footages show that Israel’s capital Tel Aviv is in disarray and people seeking shelter as ballistic missiles are raining down on the occupied territories. The legitimate retaliatory attacks by Iran’s military is called ‘Operation True Promise 3’,” the report added.
It said the attack was launched as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was addressing the nation. Khamenei said that Israel initiated a war and said it will not be allowed to do “hit and run” attacks without grave consequences.
“The Zionist regime (Israel) will not remain unscathed from the consequences of its crime. The Iranian nation must be guaranteed that our response will not be half-measured,” Khamenei said in a statement
Khamenei said that Israel’s deadly attacks on his country will “bring it to ruin”, vowing retaliation.
“The armed forces of the Islamic Republic will inflict heavy blows upon this malevolent enemy,” Khamenei said, adding that the consequences of the Israeli attack “will bring it to ruin”.
Iran’s state news agency IRNA said the attack was the “beginning of Iran’s crushing response to the Zionist regime”.
It added: “A decisive response to the brutal attack by the Zionist regime began minutes ago with the firing of hundreds of various ballistic missiles towards the occupied territories.”
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they launched an attack on dozens of targets in Israel.
“The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps … has executed its decisive and precise response against tens of targets, military centres and airbases of the usurping Zionist regime in the occupied territories,” the Guards said in a statement carried by state media.
The United States is helping Israel intercept Iranian missiles, Axios reported, citing a senior US official.
Al Jazeera reported citing Israeli newspaper Haaretz that as per emergency services, 15 people were wounded in central Israel, including one with moderate injuries.
