The Israeli Defence Force says it has struck military targets in western and central Iran, after Iran launched a series of strikes on northern Israel. The latest exchange follows Israeli strikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs, which Lebanese health officials say killed at least two and injured at least 20.
Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts.
TRANSCRIPT
The Israeli Defence Force says it has struck military targets in western and central Iran, with explosions reportedly heard in Iran's capital, Tehran, as well as in Isfahan, Tabriz, and Karaj.
It comes hours after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched a series of strikes against northern Israel.
Iranian state media earlier confirmed the launch, releasing a video it says captures missiles heading toward Israel.
Israel's Air Force says it successfully intercepted all missiles with no casualties.
Iran's attack reportedly prompted President Trump to call Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to advise against retaliation, as Israeli military leaders vowed to strike the Islamic republic as soon as they were given the go-ahead.
Israeli Military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin says Iran made a 'grave mistake' in launching the strikes.
“A short while ago, the Iranian terrorist regime launched missiles toward the territory of the State of Israel. We were prepared for this. The IDF is strongly prepared in defence and strong in offense. The air defence systems are deployed throughout the country. At this hour, the Chief of Staff is conducting a situation assessment with the General Staff forum and approving plans for the continuation.”
Iran's Revolutionary Guards have called the missiles launched at Israel a warning, after Israel struck Beirut's southern suburbs earlier in the day, threatening wider strikes in the event of repeated aggression.
Lebanese authorities say two people were killed and at least 20 others injured in the Israeli strikes on Dahiyeh, a stronghold of the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement.
Brigadier General Defrin says the Israeli missiles were launched in retaliation to Iranian-backed Hezbollah firing at northern Israel earlier in the day.
"We attacked in the Dahiyeh following the non-stop Hezbollah fire towards northern (Israeli) communities. The IDF will continue to operate across all of Lebanon and will deepen the hit to the Hezbollah terror organisation. We will not allow fire toward the citizens of the state of Israel to continue."
The Israeli prime minister’s office says the Israeli military struck what it describes as 'terrorist headquarters' in the southern suburbs.
But local resident Hassan Jalwan says those impacted were civilians.
“We were sitting and having coffee when we heard this not so loud noise. At first, we thought it was a truck, a shipping container, or something like that. Then it became clear that it was something else but the sound was not loud. This is the second time they’ve targeted this area. As you can see, it’s a civilian area, there’s nothing here, and I don’t know of anything here.”
The strikes in Dahiyeh were the first since the US announced a truce plan for Lebanon last week and were launched in defiance of Washington's request that Israel stand-down.
An 8 April ceasefire had halted major hostilities between Iran, Israel and the United States, but efforts to turn the truce into a settlement have repeatedly stalled.
As the war in the Middle East reaches its 100th day, the recent exchange in strikes further threatens hopes for a lasting peace.
