Middle East crisis highlights: In the latest update on the escalating war in the Middle East, Israel launched an airstrike on central Beirut in the early hours of Thursday (October 3), killing at least six people, following its deadliest day on the Lebanese front in a year of clashes with the Iran-backed Hezbollah. Israel described the strike as a precise operation.
Meanwhile, Israel on Wednesday said that eight of its soldiers were killed in combat in southern Lebanon as its forces advanced into the area as part of a campaign against Hezbollah.
Iran on Tuesday (October 1) fired a series of ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israeli operations against Tehran’s Hezbollah allies in Lebanon, triggering strong vows of retaliation from both Israel and the United States. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that the missile strikes were in response to recent Israeli actions that resulted in the deaths of militant leaders, as well as aggression in Lebanon and Gaza.
Iran missile attack on Israel Highlights: To get latest updates on the escalating tension between Iran and Israel, follow our live updates here!
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned Iran’s attempt to harm innocent Israelis, expressing strong opposition to the attack. In a post on X, Starmer stated, “I completely condemn Iran’s attack on Israel this evening.”
He added, “In recent hours, the Iranian regime has launched over 200 ballistic missiles at civilian targets in Israel. While it’s still early to fully assess the impact, I strongly denounce this attempt by Iran to harm innocent Israelis, escalate this dangerous situation, and bring the region closer to the brink of conflict.”
Starmer affirmed his support for Israel’s right to self-defence in the face of aggression.
Hours after Tehran fired nearly 200 missiles at Israel, US President Joe Biden made a statement indicating that the attack appeared to have been defeated and ineffective and credited the Israeli military for their capabilities in repelling the assault.
The Israeli military confirmed that there were no reported injuries from the attack. Speaking to reporters at the White House, President Biden stated, “At my direction, the United States military actively supported the defence of Israel. We are still assessing the impact, but based on what we know, the attack appears to have been defeated and ineffective. This is a testament to Israeli military capability and also a testament to intensive planning and coordination between the United States and Israel to anticipate and defend against such a brazen attack.”
The President’s Office further indicated that Biden had directed the US military to aid Israel’s defence against Iranian attacks and shoot down missiles targeting the country.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin praised the coordinated defence efforts between the US and Israel in response to Iran’s missile attacks during a phone conversation with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
In a social media post, Austin said, “I spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant today following Iran’s outrageous act of aggression against Israel.”
Austin also expressed his “deepest condolences” to the families impacted by a shooting in Israel on Tuesday, which claimed at least four lives and injured seven others, according to Israeli authorities.
Australian PM Anthony Albanese has called Iran’s attack a “dangerous escalation”. “Australia condemns Iran’s missile attack on Israel. This is an extremely dangerous escalation – Australia and the global community have been clear in our calls for de-escalation,” the PM said.
“Further hostilities put civilians at risk. We are monitoring the situation closely and encourage Australians in Israel to follow the advice of local authorities,” he added.
FlyDubai, a United Arab Emirates-based airline, announced the cancellation of its flights to Jordan, Iraq, Iran, and Israel for Wednesday and Thursday, according to Reuters.
This decision comes in response to rising regional tensions and the temporary closure of certain airspaces in the affected areas.
Parts of Iranian missiles landed in Jordan, a country located between Iran and Israel, causing minor injuries to three people, according to government spokesman Mohammed al-Momani, who spoke to the state-owned Al-Mamlaka TV. According to a CNN report, while Momani did not confirm whether Jordan, a US ally with a peace treaty with Israel, played a role in intercepting the missiles, he hinted at the possibility. “Jordan’s stance has always been that it will not become a battleground for any conflict,” he said. “Our foremost responsibility is to protect Jordan and its citizens.”
Iran fired dozens of missiles toward Israel on Tuesday, claiming the attack was retaliation for the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and others. The assault has intensified concerns that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could further escalate
Following the missile strikes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of severe retaliation, stating, “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 retaliate against our enemies.”
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Iran launched around 180 projectiles, many of which were intercepted by Israel’s defense systems. However, some missiles landed in parts of Israel and the occupied West Bank
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described the attack as “effectively defeated”, though the event has heightened tensions in an already volatile situation
The escalation comes as Israel is already engaged in military operations on multiple fronts, including its ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza following the deadly October 7 terrorist attack by the group on southern Israel
With rising casualties and destruction in Gaza, world leaders fear that the violence involving Iran’s allies, Hezbollah and Hamas, could spiral into a larger regional war
Iran’s top military officer, Mohammad Bagheri, announced on state television that the missiles fired at Israel targeted three military bases—Nevatim, Hatzerim, and Tel Nof—along with the headquarters of Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency. He emphasized that Iran deliberately avoided striking civilian targets and infrastructure.
US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures climbed by $1.05, or 1.48%, to $70.86 per barrel at 2216 GMT, driven by concerns over potential supply disruptions in the Middle East. The surge followed Iran’s launch of ballistic missiles at Israel, in response to Israel’s offensive against Tehran’s Hezbollah allies in Lebanon. As a key oil producer in the region, fears of further escalation could jeopardize Iran’s oil production, raising anxiety in global markets.
(Reuters’ inputs)
Iran launched an attack on Israel on Tuesday in retaliation for the killings of key leaders from Hezbollah and Hamas—militant groups supported by Tehran in the Middle East as a counter to the United States and Israel. Following the Khamenei regime’s firing of over 100 rockets, including ballistic missiles aimed at Tel Aviv, Israel deployed the Iron Dome, its missile defense system, to shield its civilians from these foreign threats.
Israel’s military has stated that the missile attack from Iran will have consequences. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the military spokesman, characterized the strike as significant and cautioned that it would provoke a response, though he did not provide specific details about when or how Israel would respond. He mentioned that there were no reported casualties from the missile strikes, which hit areas in central and southern Israel, causing some damage.
The Israeli Air Force has announced the killing of D. Al-Faqar Hanawi, the commander of the ‘Hamam Hossein’ division, in an airstrike in Beirut. The operation, coordinated with the Intelligence Division, occurred around the same time as the earlier strike that eliminated Muhammad Jaafar Katzir, the commander of Unit 4400, responsible for transferring weapons from Iran to Hezbollah.
In a tweet, the IDF stated, “We continue targeting Hezbollah commanders and anyone who poses a threat to the citizens of Israel.”
The Israeli military announced on Tuesday the establishment of a new restricted military zone in the Dovov, Tivbon, and Malkia areas of northern Israel. Access to this zone is strictly forbidden, according to a statement from the Israeli army.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock strongly condemned the Iranian missile attack on Israel on Tuesday, calling for an immediate halt to the aggression. In a post on the social media platform X, she stated that they have urgently warned Iran about this dangerous escalation and told them that they must cease the attack at once.
Israeli air defenses intercepted numerous Iranian missiles that were fired over Syria on Tuesday, according to sources in the Syrian army, reported Reuters. This incident followed Iran’s launch of a barrage of ballistic missiles aimed at Israel.
On Tuesday, Iranian-backed Iraqi armed groups warned that US bases in Iraq and the surrounding region would become targets if the United States intervenes in response to Iranian strikes on Israel or if Israel conducts operations using Iraqi airspace against Tehran.
The IDF has released footage showing Iranian missiles hitting Jerusalem. Watch Here:
RAW FOOTAGE: Watch as Iranian missiles rain over the Old City in Jerusalem, a holy site for Muslims, Christians and Jews.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 1, 2024
This is the target of the Iranian regime: everyone. pic.twitter.com/rIqUZWN3zy
Alarms echoed throughout Israel as explosions were reported in Jerusalem and the Jordan River valley, prompting many Israelis to rush into bomb shelters. During live broadcasts, reporters on state television were seen lying flat on the ground for safety. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced that they had launched numerous missiles at Israel, warning that any Israeli retaliation would provoke a “more crushing and ruinous” response. A senior Iranian official later informed Reuters that the order for the missile strikes came directly from the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is currently in a secure location.
An Israeli military spokesman has stated that there are no reports of injuries from the Iranian missile attack. Following a situational assessment, the military has announced that people in all regions of the country are now allowed to leave their shelters.
Iran says it has fired many ballistic missiles at Israel. This claim was made during a statement on state TV on Tuesday, as air raid sirens sounded and explosions were heard in Tel Aviv and near Jerusalem. The statement warned that if Israel strikes back, the response will be much stronger.
The Israeli military has reported that Iran has launched missiles at Israel and is urging citizens to take shelter. This announcement on Tuesday came after a senior US administration official warned that Iran was preparing to “imminently” execute a ballistic missile strike against Israel. The official, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence, stated that the US is actively assisting Israel with its defensive measures. On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning to Iran, which supports both Hezbollah and Hamas.