BREAKING: Iran Launches Missile Attack on Israel’s Tel Aviv

BREAKING NEWS: Iran has launched a barrage of missiles toward Israel’s Tel Aviv, triggering air raid sirens across the country. The missile strikes were confirmed by Israel’s military, and early reports indicate that some of the missiles have been intercepted by Israel’s air defense systems. However, the total number intercepted remains unclear.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that the missile attack was in direct retaliation for the recent killing of Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Hezbollah militant group, along with other figures. Nasrallah's death has fueled anger in Iran, which considers Hezbollah an essential ally in its broader regional strategy. Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported that the IRGC sees the strikes as a response to what they call terrorist acts carried out by Israel.

Iran’s mission to the United Nations issued a stern warning after the missile barrage, stating that if Israel retaliates, a "crushing response" will follow. Tehran's statement on social media platform X emphasized that any further aggression from Israel would lead to even more severe consequences.

The situation has been building for days, with the White House warning earlier that Iran was preparing to launch a ballistic missile attack on Israel. The United States, which has long supported Israel’s defense capabilities, had already begun coordinating defensive measures with Israel in anticipation of the strike.

A senior White House official reiterated that any direct military attack from Iran on Israel would bring "severe consequences" for Tehran. The White House and Israel both expected that Iran would target key Israeli military sites, including air bases and an intelligence center north of Tel Aviv. As a precaution, the intelligence base in Glilot was evacuated on Tuesday afternoon, and contingency plans were activated to ensure the safety of military personnel.

As the missiles began to fly, cities across Israel, including Tel Aviv, went on high alert. Citizens were instructed to stay near bomb shelters and take cover as the threat of further strikes loomed. The atmosphere in the streets became tense as Israelis braced for potential additional attacks from Iran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the nation to “stand together” and closely follow safety instructions. Netanyahu framed the situation as part of an ongoing campaign against what he described as Iran’s “axis of evil,” which includes Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed forces in the region. He also emphasized that following instructions from security forces could save lives during this critical time.

The international response to the missile attacks has been swift. U.S. President Joe Biden convened an emergency meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris and top national security officials to discuss the rapidly unfolding situation. Biden reaffirmed the United States' commitment to supporting Israel’s defense and ensuring the protection of U.S. personnel in the region.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking alongside Morocco’s foreign minister, stated that the U.S. was "tracking events in the Middle East very closely" but did not directly mention the missile strikes or Iran’s involvement.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, intense diplomacy is underway. The U.S. and Arab diplomats are reportedly working to prevent the situation from spiraling into a full-scale regional conflict. A primary concern is that Israel may use the missile attack as justification to strike targets deep within Iran, potentially sparking a broader war.

The missile attack comes after a year of increasing tension between Israel and Iran’s regional proxies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. Earlier this week, Israel launched a ground operation in southern Lebanon.

With Iran now directly involved, the conflict risks spreading across the Middle East, potentially drawing in other nations and heightening the stakes for all involved. U.S. officials have indicated that Iran’s attack on Israel could be similar in scope to a missile and drone assault that took place in April, which was largely intercepted by Israeli defenses. However, given the heightened political and military climate, the ramifications of the latest strikes could be far more severe.