Israel missile attack UPDATES: Netanyahu vows Iran ‘will pay’ as more troops sent to Lebanon
TENSIONS between Israel and Iran have rapidly intensified after a 180-missile attack was unleashed by Tehran, with Israel vowing swift retaliation.
The attack marks a significant escalation between the two regional rivals.
The blitz follows a week of rising conflict, during which Israel assassinated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon.
An Iranian source stated that the missile barrage was launched to avenge Nasrallah’s assassination and to push back against Israeli aggression, further declaring that Iran is “fully ready for any retaliation.”
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned Iran for making a "big mistake" and threatened "it will pay for it".
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A recap
Last night, Israel was hit by an unprecedented 180-missile barrage, marking a dramatic escalation in the ongoing conflict with Iran and its regional allies.
Alerts were triggered across Israel late Tuesday afternoon after US satellites detected ballistic missiles being moved to launch sites in western Iran.
Israeli defence systems intercepted the majority of the rockets as they soared through the skies above Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa.
The assault comes just days after Israel assassinated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, an operation that has further inflamed tensions across the region.
Iranian MPs rejoice following Israel missile attack
In worrying scenes, footage shows Iranian MPs chanting "death to America" in parliament following Tuesday's missile attacks on Israel.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed that his troops and terror proxies are prepared for war, as Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu promises swift retaliation.
Iranians across the country rejoiced after hearing their terror regime had fired back at Israel.
Disturbing footage shows hundreds of MPs and officials celebrating the destruction of their archenemies land.
They can be seen and heard singing in unison "death to America" as many punch the air with their fists clenched.
Iranian protesters line the streets as they burn the Israeli flag Credit: Rex UK Defence Secretary confirms support for Israel
John Healey, UK Secretary of State for Defence, has condemned Iran's attack on Israel.
In a post on X, Healey confirmed that British forces assisted in defending Israel during the assault.
The Sun understands Typhoon fighter jets and Voyager refuelling planes were scrambled from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
He stated: "The UK stands fully behind Israel's right to defend its country and its people against threats."
First Israeli casualty confirmed
The first Israeli soldier killed in a Hezbollah ambush has been identified, as fierce fighting continues in Lebanon, indicating a potential full-scale invasion.
The IDF named the fallen soldier as 22-year-old Captain Eitan Itzhak Oster, a member of the elite Egoz commando unit.
Captain Eitan Itzhak has been named as the first killed in a Hezbollah ambush Credit: IDF Israeli troops spotted in Lebanon
Footage has surfaced showing Israeli troops in Lebanon for the first time since the invasion of the Hezbollah stronghold.
The video captures commandos launching a daring night time raid on a Hezbollah outpost.
Israel sent tanks and soldiers across its northern border into Lebanon on Monday, marking the beginning of its long-anticipated showdown with Hezbollah.
Another clip shows troops during the day searching a Hezbollah post Credit: IDF In pictures: Israeli strikes in Lebanon
Iran fires advanced 11,000mph missiles for the first time
Iran allegedly deployed its advanced 11,000mph hypersonic missiles for the first time in the attack on Israel last night.
Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards claimed they fired the ballistic missiles to blitz Israel in an attack dubbed "Operation True Promise 2."
The Fattah-1 missile is described by Iran as a "hypersonic" weapon capable of targeting advanced enemy anti-missile systems, marking what Tehran claims to be a major generational leap in missile technology.
However, experts have cast doubt on the "hypersonic" label, pointing out that nearly all ballistic missiles achieve hypersonic speeds during flight.
Israel's retaliation begins
Fierce battles have erupted in southern Lebanon as Hezbollah clashes with Israeli forces, signaling the potential start of a full-scale invasion.
The IDF confirmed that regular infantry and armoured units have joined the ground operations in the region, although they emphasized that the efforts would remain limited and localised in scope.
The group's media chief Mohammad Afif warned that Hezbollah is "only in the first round."
It comes after the terror group claimed to have pushed back Israeli forces attempting to enter the town of Adaisseh early this morning.
Civilians warned to evacuate ahead of further clashes
Israel has established a no-go zone for civilians as 25,000 troops push deeper into Lebanon, setting the stage for a fierce showdown with Hezbollah.
Israeli forces have intensified their assault on Hezbollah targets across the border as part of Operation "Northern Arrows." Meanwhile, residents of 26 southern Lebanese towns have been urged to evacuate.
Additional troops have also been deployed today, following an overnight attack from Iran, as Benjamin Netanyahu vows revenge.
Spokesman Avichay Adraee said: "Intense fighting is taking place in southern Lebanon.
"For your personal safety, we ask you not to travel by vehicles from the north to the south of the Litani River."
Israel also urged a total of 26 towns near the south to evacuate to the north of the Awali River, some 36 miles from the border.
Sole victim of Iran’s missile attack revealed
A Palestinian labourer has been identified as the sole victim of Iran’s failed 181-missile barrage on Israel, officials confirmed today.
Father-of-three Sameh al-Asali, 37, was killed instantly by falling shrapnel from ballistic missiles fired from western Iran on Tuesday night.
In a tragic twist, his family revealed he was born in Jabalia, Gaza—a stronghold of Israel's enemy, Hamas.
Credit: X, formerly known as Twitter No other fatalities were reported, but at least four people suffered minor injuries inside Israel, while others were hurt running for cover as debris rained down.
Israel plots retaliatory strikes
Israel may be planning to target Iran's key oil export hub as part of its vow to retaliate for the 181-missile barrage.
Israel is now planning a major response to last night's unprecedented Iranian missile attack - likely to hit Iranian oil plants and air defence system.
A retaliation firestorm may also include targeted assassinations.
Iran's crucial Kharg island could be one of Israel's main targets - which up to 95 per cent of the country's oil export flows.
A view of oil facilities on Kharg island in 2016 Credit: Alamy Nick Parker describes tense moments amid rocket alerts
The Sun's Foreign Editor, Nick Parker, had just ordered a coffee in a roadside café when an alert flashed up on his phone.
Nick Parker wrote: "I was sitting in a pizza restaurant in a much-rocketed area north of the coastal port of Haifa when the warning pinged in my pocket.
Moments later, I saw other diners picking up their phones as warnings reached them, but was impressed by their stoicism as they carried on munching on their margaritas.
These were people who have endured daily rocket attacks from Hezbollah for nearly a year, but even they began to shuffle in their seats as more warnings appeared on their mobile security apps.
This was clearly something much bigger than the daily Hezbollah barrage from the north."
Read Nick Parker's full report here.
Iran's supreme leader makes first remarks
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, met with elites and academics in Tehran today, expressing his "deep grief" over the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
He blamed the ongoing regional tensions and conflicts on the US and Europe.
Khamenei said: "The root of the problem in our region, these conflicts and wars, is the presence of those who claim to advocate peace in the region. That is, the United States and some European countries.
What is Israel's Iron Dome?
The Iron Dome is a missile defense system designed to protect Israel from short-range rockets. It works in all weather conditions and uses radar to track incoming missiles.
The system can tell which rockets are likely to hit populated areas and only targets those with interceptor missiles.
The Iron Dome was developed after the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah to help protect civilians from rocket attacks.
Did Israel’s assassination of Nasrallah trigger Iran’s strike?
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, widely regarded as the most powerful figure in Lebanon, was killed in a massive missile strike on Lebanon last Friday.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is believed to have personally signed off the attack after spies discovered Nasrallah was set to convene a meeting of his surviving leaders at his underground HQ.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei - one of Nasrallah's closest allies - issued a chilling message to Israel after Israel's assassination claims.
Khamenei said Lebanon will make Israel "regret their actions" and blasted the "shortsighted and foolish" policies of Israeli leaders.
In pictures: Iran launches rockets at Israel
Credit: Alamy 
Credit: AFP 
Credit: Rex British forces help defend Israel
The UK government has confirmed that British forces contributed to defending Israel as Iran launched a missile barrage last night.
The Sun understands Typhoon fighter jets and Voyager refuelling planes were scrambled from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
Last night, Defence Secretary John Healey said: “British forces have this evening played their part in attempts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.
“I want to thank all British personnel involved in the operation for their courage and professionalism.”
RAF Typhoons taking off from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus in February Credit: AFP Israel readies retaliatory strike on Iran's oil fields
Israel is preparing to target Iran's oil fields in retaliation for Tehran's ballistic missile strike, as tensions between the two long-time rivals continue to escalate.
Netanyahu's response to Iran's blitz could target oil production facilities inside Iran within days, Israeli officials told .
Other possible targets would be the country's air defence system as well as assassinations of senior figures.
The planned retaliation comes after Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Iran's "big mistake," vowing that they will pay.
IDF claims to thwart terrorist plot
Hezbollah terrorists were on the verge of launching a devastating October 7-style attack before Israel's ground invasion, according to the IDF.
The IDF said it would not allow another "October 7-style invasion" to happen - nearly a year after when Hamas stormed the border between Gaza and Israel, slaughtering over 1,200 Israelis and kidnapping hundreds more.
Spokesperson Daniel Hagari said: "Hezbollah turned Lebanese villages next to Israeli villages into military bases already for an attack on Israel.
"Hezbollah had planned “to invade Israel, attack Israeli communities and massacre innocent men, women and children. They called this plan, ‘Conquer the Galilee.'
“We will not let the 7th of October happen again on any one of our borders."
UK government charters evacuation flight
The UK Government has chartered a flight to help British nationals escape Lebanon as thousands are urged to flee ahead of Israel’s full-scale invasion.
The evacuation flight is set to depart from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport today.
The flight will prioritise British nationals and their immediate families, including spouses, partners, and children under 18, as stated by the Foreign Office.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the situation in Lebanon as "volatile" and with the "potential to deteriorate quickly."
He said: "We will continue to speak to the Israelis and indeed to other actors in the Middle East.
"At this time, none of us want to see a regional escalation. None of us want a return to the years in which Israel found itself bogged down in a quagmire in southern Lebanon and pitched battles between Israeli soldiers and of course the Lebanese side.
"We have been warning for months that we risk a regional war with escalation on all sides and that is why we want to see an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon.
"It is politics, discussion and diplomacy that will solve the problems before us and we urge, with partners, restraint at this time."
Israel's invasion of Lebanon
Israel launched a major ground invasion into southern Lebanon yesterday, deploying tanks and troops over the border in a significant escalation against Hezbollah.
Heavy artillery fire preceded the first reports of ground clashes as Israeli troops engaged with Hezbollah militants entrenched in defensive positions.
The primary objective of the operation is to dismantle Hezbollah’s terror sites, which have been launching rocket attacks that have displaced over 60,000 residents from northern Israel over the past 11 months, according to Israeli sources.
Israel informed its American allies about "limited operations focused on Hezbollah infrastructure near the border", US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller later confirmed.
Benjamin Netanyahu issues warning
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu slammed Iran for making a "big mistake" and has threatened "it will pay for it".
He warned: "There is also a deliberate and murderous hand behind this attack - it comes from Tehran.
"We will stand by the rule we established: whoever attacks us - we will attack him."
Israel intercepts missiles after Iran launches rockets
Last night, Israel was hit by an unprecedented 180-missile barrage, marking a dramatic escalation in the ongoing conflict with Iran and its regional allies.
Alerts were triggered across Israel late Tuesday afternoon after US satellites detected ballistic missiles being moved to launch sites in western Iran.
Israeli defence systems intercepted the majority of the rockets as they soared through the skies above Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa.
The assault comes just days after Israel assassinated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, an operation that has further inflamed tensions across the region.