Iran fires 181 missiles at Israel; Netanyahu warns 'they will pay for it'

Iran has fired over 181 missiles at Israel on Tuesday nights, stoking fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that it intercepted a large number of rockets but the unprecedented attack sent over 10 million people into bomb shelters.

Israel also called the attacks "largely unsuccessful" but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Tehran of severe consequences, adding that "Iran made a big mistake tonight - and it will pay for it."

One Palestinian in the West Bank was reported killed and two Israelis were injured by falling shrapnel as explosions rang across much of Israel, including at Jerusalem and the Jordan Valley. The US too reiterated its support for Israel and vowed to help Israel to ensure Iran faced severe consequences for its actions.

As the conflict escalated, Iran said its missile attack on Israel was over barring further provocation. "Our action is concluded unless the Israeli regime decides to invite further retaliation. In that scenario, our response will be stronger and more powerful," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in a post on X early on Wednesday.

Also read: Iran launches missile attack on Israel, IDF urges residents to take shelter in bunkers

According to the  Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), it fired hypersonic Fattah missiles for the first time, and 90% of its missiles successfully hit their targets in Israel. The Islamic Republic also called attacks "defensive" and solely aimed at Israeli military facilities. Iran's state news agency said three Israeli military bases had been targeted.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that it was the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who ordered the launch of the missiles at Israel. "Khamenei remains in a secure location," the senior official told the news agency.

How Netanyahu's reacted

Netanyahu convened a security cabinet meeting in a secure bunker near Jerusalem late on Tuesday where he said the strike on Israel had been thwarted thanks to Israel's air defence system. He also thanked the US for its support.

"The regime in Iran does not understand our determination to defend ourselves and our determination to retaliate against our enemies," said Netanyahu. "[Hamas leader Yahya] Sinwar and [top Hamas military commander Mohammed] Deif did not understand this, [Hezbollah leader Hassan] Nasrallah and [Hezbollah chief of staff Fuad] Shukr did not understand this, and there are probably those in Tehran who do not understand this. They will understand," he threatened, stressing that "whoever attacks us — we will attack him."

He added that Israel was on the move and the xis of evil was retreating. The Prime Minister also promised to do everything necessary to continue this and achieve all the goals, including the return of the hostages.

White House backs Israel

US President Joe Biden said he was fully backing Israel and called Iran's attack ineffective and defeated. "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 and this is a testament to Israeli military capability (It is) also a testament to intensive planning (between) the United States and Israel to anticipate and defend against a brazen attack."

Meanwhile, the Pentagon said the U.S. Navy warships fired about a dozen interceptors against Iranian missiles headed toward Israel. The US Navy has also deployed two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers -- the USS Cole and USS Bulkeley -- deployed in the eastern Mediterranean.