Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reacting for the first time after launching over 200 missiles at Israel, threatened the blows of the uprising front will become stronger. "With God's help, the blows of the uprising front will become stronger and more painful on the worn and rotting body of the Zionist regime," Khamenei's post on X read.
"The strikes of the resistance front on the worn-out and decaying body of the Zionist regime will be more striking," his other post read.
Meanwhile, Iran's Revolutionary Guards issued its first statement after launching over 200 missiles at Israel on Monday night. The Iranian military said it launched the attack to avenge Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Hezbollah top leader Hassan Nasrallah and IRGC Gen. Abbas Nilforushan, the latter two killed in an Israeli airstrike last week in Beirut. Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned of a 'harsher response' if Israel retaliates.
Israel's reaction to the missile attacks
Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson RAdm Daniel Hagari said, "Iran launched a large-scale attack of over 180 ballistic missiles directly from Iranian soil at the state of Israel. There were a small number of hits in the centre of Israel and some other hits in southern Israel. The majority of the incoming missiles were intercepted by Israel and a defensive coalition led by the United States. Iran's attack is a severe and dangerous escalation. There will be consequences. Our defensive and offensive capabilities are at the highest levels of readiness. Our operational plans are ready. We will respond wherever, whenever and however we choose in accordance with the directive of the government of Israel. Iran and its proxies have been attacking Israel since October 7 on several fronts. Iran and its proxies seek the destruction of Israel. The Israel Defense Forces will continue doing everything necessary to defend Israel and protect the people of Israel."
Netanyahu vows retaliation
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday vowed retaliation against Iran for its missile barrage on Israel. "Iran made a big mistake tonight and it will pay for it," Netanyahu said as he gathered his Security Cabinet for a late-night meeting.
Netanyahu said the missile attack was a failure and that Iran would soon learn a painful lesson just as its enemies in Gaza, Lebanon and other places have learned. "Whoever attacks us. We attack them," he said.
Iran fired a barrage of missiles at Israel, sending Israelis diving into shelters but prompting celebrations across Iran. There was no immediate report of casualties in the attack late on Tuesday.
Israel said it intercepted many of the missiles, and officials in Washington said US destroyers assisted in Israel's defence. Iran said most of its missiles hit their targets.
The statement broadcast on state TV late on Tuesday said the attack targeted air and radar bases as well as security apparatus that planned the killing of senior Hamas and Hezbollah figures.
It said Iran has a right to defend itself under international regulations. The TV station showed footage of missiles being launched in the darkness from unidentified locations in Iran. Iranian state television, long controlled by hard-liners, has aired images of people in Arak, Qom and Tehran celebrating Iran's missile attack in Israel.
(With agencies inputs)
Also read: Israel-Iran War: Tehran says it has finished attack amid fears of conflict but Netanyahu vows retaliation
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