Jerusalem, Oct 02 (V7N) – Iran launched a massive barrage of ballistic missiles targeting key Israeli cities, including Jerusalem and Haifa, on Tuesday evening. According to US media reports, including CNN, the missile strikes were part of Tehran's response to the recent killing of Hezbollah leader Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that Iran fired at least 180 missiles into Israeli territory, with some hitting strategic locations, though no immediate casualties or damage were reported. Warning sirens blared across the country as Israelis rushed to shelters, and live footage showed Israeli state television reporters taking cover as rockets were heard in the background.

The Israeli security cabinet, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is reportedly holed up in an emergency bunker in Jerusalem. In the aftermath of the attack, the IDF urged citizens to remain vigilant and follow military instructions, while claiming that several of the missiles had been intercepted.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed that the attack was a direct response to the killing of Nasrallah and Lebanese civilians. The IRGC also warned that any Israeli retaliation would be met with even more severe assaults.

Earlier in the day, the US had expressed concerns that Iran was preparing for a ballistic missile strike against Israel, warning that such an act could lead to serious consequences for Tehran.

This missile attack marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and regional forces opposed to its occupation, increasing fears of a broader Middle Eastern conflict.

END/RH/AJ