Air raid warnings were issued in stages in large parts of Israel during the night, as the country's military detected several salvos of Iranian missiles in the airspace. Explosions have been heard, among other things, over Tel Aviv, reports Reuters.
At the same time, powerful explosions have resounded in Tehran, according to Iranian media. Israel has confirmed that its air force has launched an attack wave in the Tehran area. Earlier in the night, the Israeli military issued a warning that a specific district in the Iranian capital would be attacked and urged people to immediately evacuate the area.
Hypersonic missile
At least 25 missiles have been fired in two salvos against Israel during the night, according to security sources for Haaretz. Drones have also been shot down, according to the Israeli military. Iran's Revolutionary Guard claims to have fired a hypersonic ballistic missile and Iranian state media describe the night's attacks on Israel as the "most intense phase" since the air war began.
At the same time, concern is growing for a broader war. US President Donald Trump has urged Iran to "unconditional surrender" and threatened that the US knows where Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is hiding.
"Our patience is running out", Trump wrote on his platform Truth Social on Tuesday.
Trump met his national security council in Washington on Tuesday evening and later spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone, according to an official in the White House.
Khamenei has announced during the night in statements on X that the Iranian regime will not show Israel "any mercy" and proclaimed that "the battle begins".
Threatens American bases
The US has sent military reinforcements to the Middle East in recent days, but Trump has not announced whether he intends to join the Israeli war effort against Iran.
Iran, in turn, has prepared missiles and other weapons to be able to attack American bases in the Middle East in the event that the US would attack Iran, reports the New York Times, citing American officials and intelligence.
The US has more than 40,000 soldiers deployed in the Middle East and Iran-backed militia groups in Iraq and Syria are likely to try to attack American bases there in the event of American involvement, according to the sources.
