How will Iran strike back? Tehran vows 'crushing response' in retaliation to missile strikes
Tehran has vowed a 'crushing' response in retaliation for a daylight missile strike by the United States and Israel, as Israeli citizens were this morning warned to stay close to shelters amid warnings of incoming missiles.Shortly after 8am, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said it had identified ballistic missiles launched from Iran toward Israel, with defensive systems operating to 'intercept the threat'. The IDF updated minutes later to warn 'an additional barrage' had also been detected. No injuries have so far been reported. The Home Front Command in Israel had sent alerts to mobile phones in the areas thought to be targeted warning citizens to head for their safe rooms and shelters.Sirens originally sounded across Tel Aviv, with the alerts later heard in Jerusalem, as well as across northern and southern Israel. Images emerging show hospital patients being placed in a car park at Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv for safety, following the sounding of sirens.The first strike, which follows weeks of knife-edge tensions building up between the two countries, happened near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Shortly after 8.20am, President Benjamin Netanyahu said the purpose of the operation was to remove the 'existential threat' posed by Iran. He said: 'My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, a short time ago, Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran.'I thank our great friend, President Donald Trump, for his historic leadership. For 47 years, the Ayatollah regime has been shouting 'Death to Israel,' 'Death to America.' Israeli citizens were seen running to their shelters amid warnings of a missile strike on Israel Residents in Tel Aviv are seen taking shelter amid warnings of incoming ballistic missiles Israeli citizens were this morning warned to stay close to shelters amid incoming missiles A couple with their two children are seen rushing towards their shelter amid warning sirens'It has spilled our blood, murdered many Americans, and massacred its own people. This murderous terrorist regime must not be armed with nuclear weapons that would allow it to threaten all of humanity. Our joint action will create the conditions for the courageous Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands.'The time has come for all segments of the Iranian people - the Persians, the Kurds, the Azeris, the Baluchis, and the Ahwazis - to throw off the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peaceful Iran.'I appeal to you, the citizens of Israel, to listen to the instructions of the Home Front Command. In the coming days, in Operation 'The Roar of the Lion,' we will all be required to have endurance and fortitude.'Together we will stand, together we will fight, and together we will ensure the eternity of Israel.'Today's action comes just over eight months since Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at Israel in revenge for strikes on its nuclear sites.At that time Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei vowed to 'inflict heavy blows' in a chilling threat to civilians in Tel Aviv, having blamed Israel for starting a war.Israel has named its latest operation 'Lion's Roar', following on from its previous operation in June, which was named 'Rising Lion'. The US meanwhile has named its military operation 'Epic Fury'. Citizens gather in their safe room in Haifa, northern Israel on Saturday morning amid sirens Hospital staff are moving patients to safety amid a vow from Tehran of a 'crushing' response Patients are placed in a car park at Sourasky Medical Center for safety after sirens sounded in Tel Aviv following 'pre-emptive' strikes on Tehran this morning At least two waves of ballistic missiles have now been detected by the Israel Defence Forces People watch as smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, on SaturdayDuring the onslaught in June, Israeli Prime Minister Mr Netanyahu revealed more attacks were 'on the way', adding that 'the regime does not know what hit them, or what will hit them. It has never been weaker'. The latest strikes come as Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said they were a necessity 'to remove threats'.In his analysis, Amos Yadlin, Israel's former intelligence chief, told Israel's Channel 12 that 'you cannot bring down a regime from the air,' but that it could be 'restricted' from what it could do. He added there was 'no doubt' the Iranian regime would be looking to respond to the military strikes seen this morning. Several hospitals in Israel have launched their emergency protocols, including moving patients and surgeries to underground facilities.As events unfold this morning, exiled Iranian prince Reza Pahlavi urged Iranians to prepare to return to the streets as he claimed the Islamic Republic was 'collapsing'.In a message to the nation, Pahlavi called on members of the military, police and security forces to break with the clerical regime and back what he described as a 'stable and secure' transition.Addressing security forces directly, Pahlavi said they had sworn to defend Iran and its people, not the Islamic Republic, warning they would 'sink' with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei if they failed to switch sides.He described the US action as a 'humanitarian intervention' targeting the regime's repression apparatus rather than the Iranian nation, and appealed to President Donald Trump to exercise maximum caution to avoid civilian casualties.The United States and Israel launched strikes on targets in several Iranian cities on Saturday, sending explosions and plumes of smoke over the capital, Tehran.UK nationals in Qatar have also been warned by the British Embassy in Doha to shelter in place following this morning's strikes.The UK withdrew its diplomatic staff from Iran on Friday due to security concerns.The Foreign Office has also moved some staff based at the British embassy in Tel Aviv and their dependents to another location in Israel.
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