IRAN SHOOTS AND SCOOTS

UPFRONT | Iran fires a barrage of 400 ballistic missiles at Israel; flashes of light from interceptors seen in the Tel Aviv sky; explosions heard in Jerusalem; later, the flurry ceased and Iran seemed to back off

Iran on Tuesday dropped all pretence of using proxies to attack Israel and fired a barrage of ballistic missiles, ignoring warnings that any such attack would invite 'severe consequences.

Raid sirens sounded across Israel as dozens of missiles began to rain down, with some exploding as they were intercepted by Tel Aviv's defence systems, marking yet another major escalation that could push the Middle East to the brink of an all-out war.

However, having shown that it has the firepower and resolve to retaliate, Iran ceased its attack as abruptly as it had begun.