Iran launches barrage of over 200 missiles on Israel, IDF warns of retaliation at place, time of own choosing

Israel's military, on Tuesday (Oct 1), said Iran launchedseveralmissiles at Israel."A short while ago, missiles were launched from Iran towards the State of Israel," the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)said in a statement. News agency Reuters reported that over 200 missiles have been fired by Iran, targeting key commercial and residential areas.

Reacting to the incident, United StatesPresident Joe Biden has ordered the American military to aid Israel and help the Jewish nation shoot down Iranian projectiles.

Israeli residents, especially in the country's central region, rushed to bomb shelters as the unprecedented attack unfolded.

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American troops in the Middle East were not targeted during the Iranian missile attack in Israel, the Washington Post reported.

Tehran later said its missile attack against Israel hadconcluded and warnedthe Israeli government against carrying out its own retaliation.

“Iran’s legal, rational, and legitimate response to the terrorist acts of the Zionist regime- which involved targeting Iranian nationals and interests and infringing upon the national sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran – has been duly carried out,” the Iranian mission to the United Nations said in a socialmediapost.

Several explosions could be heard over Israeli cities, in what appearedto be air defence interceptors doing their job.

Sirens weresounded and frequent booms heard as the missiles were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome.

Israelis were alerted beforehand as they received messages on their phones from the IDFHome Front Command, saying: “Emergency alert. You must enter a protected area immediately and remain there until further notice.”

Israel's Ben Gurion airport shut down operations Tuesday evening amidst the Iranian attack.

Iraq alsoshut down its airspace amid the Iranian attack.

In an address soon after the attack, IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said thatIsrael will respond to the Iranian missile attack on the country.

“We are on heightened alert on defence and offensive, we will protect the citizens of Israel. This [missile] fire will have consequences. We have plans, and we will act in the time and place that we choose,” he said.

After the barrage ended, the IDF Home Front Command issued a message letting civilians know that they could leave bomb shelters.

Social media has been flooded with images of missiles raining down on central Israel, with many of them being intercepted. However, some landed too, triggering explosions.

The missile barrage was visible from the Gaza Strip and West Bank, with some Palestinians celebrating at the spectacle of an attack on Israel.

Earlier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an address, “Citizens of Israel, we are in the midst of a campaign against Iran’s axis of evil. Yesterday, I said that these were days of great achievements and great challenges.”

“I ask of you two things: First, strictly follow the directives of Home Front Command; it saves lives. Second, stand together. Together, we will stand steadfast in the trying days ahead of us. Together we will stand. Together we will fight, and together we will win.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Disclaimer: WION takes the utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq, and non-state actors like the Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.