Iran has launched a blitz of missiles against Israel in what looks to be the beginning of the third night of conflict between the two countries.
The Israeli military said it identified missiles launched from Iran towards Israel on Saturday, and systems were operating to intercept them.
“The public is instructed to enter a protected space and remain there until further notice,” the country’s military said in a statement.
Air raid sirens and loud bangs were heard in Israel shortly after 9pm UK time on Saturday in what appeared to be a series of mid-air missile interceptions.
Missiles launched from Iran towards Israel are seen from Tubas, in the West Bank, on Saturday evening
REUTERS
More Iranian missiles head towards Israel, as seen from Tubas
REUTERS
In Jerusalem, news agency Reuters reported that “several” missiles were seen in the sky.
The Israeli armed forces said they had begun attacking military targets in Iranian capital Tehran at the same time.
“At this time, the IAF is operating to intercept and strike where necessary to eliminate the threat,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.
It follows a day of skyrocketing rhetoric between the two countries after missiles rained down on Israel last night.
That in itself followed “Operation Rising Lion”, an Israeli operation early on Friday morning which saw legions of Iranian military commadners killed and the targeting of one of Iran’s nuclear facilities.
On Saturday, US President Donald Trump said he had spoken to Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
“He feels, as do I, this war in Israel-Iran should end, to which I explained, his war should also end,” Trump said.
But Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, warned Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that “Tehran will burn” if it keeps firing missiles at Israeli civilians.
“The Iranian dictator is taking the citizens of Iran hostage, bringing about a reality in which they, and especially Teheran’s residents, will pay a heavy price for the flagrant harm inflicted upon Israel’s citizens. If Khamenei continues to fire missiles at the Israeli home front, Tehran will burn,” Katz said.
More to follow…
