Iran fires ballistic missile barrage at Israel

Iran has launched retaliatory strikes against Israel late on Friday, firing “hundreds” of ballistic missiles at the country, Iranian state media has reported. Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has confirmed the attacks.

The incoming barrage was acknowledged by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), which urged citizens to move to shelters and remain there until further notice. “Leaving the protected space is only permitted following an explicit directive. Continue to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command,” the Israeli military said in a statement.

The initial barrage was closely followed by a second wave of missiles. “The attack is ongoing. Dozens of additional missiles were launched toward the State of Israel,” the IDF said in a follow-up statement, urging the public “not to publish and share the locations and footage of hits” and claiming that “the explosions you are hearing are from interceptions or fallen projectiles.”

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The IRGC has confirmed it has begun retaliatory strikes against Israel. The military action is dubbed Operation True Promise III, a name that seemingly refers to strikes previously launched by Tehran in response to Israel’s actions.

“The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps… has executed its decisive and precise response against tens of targets, military centers and airbases of the usurping Zionist regime in the occupied territories,” the IRGC said in a statement carried by Iranian state media.

Numerous videos circulating online show multiple incoming missiles in the skies over Israel. The city of Tel Aviv appears to be one of the prime targets for the Iranian strikes, footage suggests. Videos purport to show Israeli anti-aircraft systems deployed inside the city firing at the incoming projectiles. Some of the Iranian missiles appear to make it through and strike in the immediate vicinity of the Israeli anti-aircraft positions.

RT was unable to independently verify the authenticity of the video below.

The Israeli military launched a major attack on Iran early on Friday, targeting the country’s nuclear facilities and military installations. The attack, dubbed Operation Rising Lion, continued throughout the day, with repeated airstrikes reported across Iran.

The Israeli strikes killed several senior Iranian officials, including the IRGC commander Hossein Salami and Deputy Chief of the Army General Staff Gholam Ali Rashid. The attack has also reportedly taken a heavy toll on Iran’s top air force command and also killed at least six high-profile nuclear scientists.