Iran fires missiles at Israel after invasion of Lebanon

About 200 'hypersonic' rockets launched by Revolutionary Guards as USA warns of ‘consequences' for massive attack

- TOM WATLING, COSETTE MOLIJN

Israel has vowed revenge after Iran launched a retaliatory wave of ballistic missiles across the country last night in a major escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. A salvo of around 200 ballistic missiles were fired by Tehran less than 24 hours after the Israeli military launched a ground invasion against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

The Revolutionary Guards said the attack was in response to the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut last week. "If [Israel] reacts to Iranian operations," they warned, "it will face [more] crushing attacks". The group said it used its hypersonic Fattah missiles, the first time they have been used against Israel.

Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran had "made a big mistake... and will pay for it", with both US president Joe Biden and Sir Keir Starmer voicing support for the Israel. US national security adviser Jake Sullivan warned of "severe consequences" after the "significant escalation".

Just before the missile assault on Israel six people were killed in a shooting attack in Tel Aviv. Police said two suspects opened fire on a boulevard in the Jaffa neighbourhood in southern Tel Aviv. TV footage showed gunmen getting off at a light rail station and opening fire. The two suspects were shot dead by a civilian and a police officer.

As the Iranian missiles were launched, Mr Netanyahu was rushed into a security meeting in a secure bunker near Jerusalem to plan a response to the massive onslaught, officials said.

In a televised message, Mr Netanyahu later told his nation: "Iran made a big mistake tonight - and it will pay for it. The regime in Iran does not understand our determination to defend ourselves and our determination to retaliate against our enemies."

Israel Defence Forces spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said the attack had resulted in a "small number of hits", with the majority of missiles intercepted.