US-Iran war as it happened: Israel launches retaliatory strikes on Iran

As Israel waits for a fresh barrage, some images of missiles flying over the country have been revealed, as well as the aftermath of missiles being intercepted.

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Day has broken in Israel, but the country is facing a new barrage of missiles coming from Iran.

The IDF said its “defence systems are working to intercept the threat” and urged members of the public to be responsible and adhere to instructions.

Images have emerged of hospital staff in Tel Aviv being forced to evacuate some patients to underground shelters due to the threat of strikes.

The most significant exchange of fire between Iran and Israel in weeks is highlighting President Donald Trump’s diplomatic challenge in his effort to end the hostilities, experts say.

Alon Pinkas, former Israeli Consul General in New York, said Tehran is seeking to create tensions between Israel and the US.

“They thought that the moment they bicker with Israel, whether an exchange of salvos or an exchange of incendiary rhetoric, it creates a rift between Israel and the US,” he told CNN.

By striking Israel, Iran is now linking Hezbollah to its direct interest in any negotiation ahead, Benjamin Radd, senior fellow at the UCLA Burkle Centre for International Relations, noted.

The move pitted Israel’s “red line” against Trump’s position to de-escalate, an area Iran is “looking to exploit,” he said.

“Would Israel agree or abide by any scenario that essentially ties their hands and prevents them from responding or protecting Israel’s northern border? This becomes a key question,” Radd added.

Iran-backed rebels the Houthis said Israel-affiliated vessels would again be a target in the Red Sea.

The statement from Brigadier General Yahya Saree was broadcast on the Houthis’ al-Masirah satellite news channel.

It’s another new escalation as the nominal ceasefire in the Iran war is being challenged by crossfire between Israel and Iran.

The White House is yet to comment on Israel’s retaliatory strikes on Iran.

Reports circulated this morning that US President Donald Trump had urged Israel not to carry out any strikes against Iran, even if it was fired upon.

Trump, who regularly makes late-night posts on his Truth Social accounts, has been more muted than usual today, posting just once in relation to his allegations about the “cheating” of Republicans in elections in California (more on that here).

The US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has been posting, claiming “Iran & its proxy agents of evil want to incinerate America & Israel. Mothership of Satan is in Tehran.”

He also discussed being forced to go into an air raid shelter about an hour ago, and shared images of an overhead explosion, most likely from an Iranian missile being intercepted by Israel.

The Israeli military says it struck a petrochemical complex in Mahshahr, in south-western Iran. It did not provide details of the attack.

Earlier, Iran’s semiofficial Fars and Mehr news agencies reported on the strikes but also did not elaborate on the damage done.

Israel’s military claims more missiles from Iran are on their way to the country.

In a post on Telegram, the IDF said its defence systems were working no neutralise the threat, and confirmed warnings were sent to mobile phones of people in some areas of the country.

“A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel,” it said.

“The public is asked to act responsibly and follow the instructions—they save lives.“Upon receiving an alert, the public is instructed to enter a protected space and remain there until further notice.”

Iran’s Red Crescent said it was ready to provide assistance and relief to people impacted by Israeli strikes on Iran.

“Iranian Red Crescent rapid response teams, along with logistical, relief, and medical facilities, including pharmacies, are on standby following this morning’s Israeli airstrikes on Iran and are providing services to the public,” a post by the organisation on X said.

Meanwhile, Israel’s rescue services said there were no reports of casualties or impacts from the Yemen missile launch, according to Associated Press.

However, school in the country has been cancelled for the first time since April.

Israel’s ambassador to the USA, Yechiel Leiter, said the country had been on the receiving end of 11 ballistic missiles fired by Iran.

In a post on X, he claimed “no self-respecting country” would tolerate such an attack, using it as justification for Israel’s response, despite being urged to hold firm by the United States.

“Israel is now targeting Iranian surface-to-surface missile launch sites, as well as infrastructure facilities unrelated to the energy sector,” he said.

“This has nothing to do with Iran.

“Everyone has had enough of this maniacal Iranian regime.”

Meanwhile, the Israeli Air Force said senior IDF officials were conducting assessments and commanding retaliatory air strikes on Iran.

“The IDF is on high alert and ready to continue operations across all sectors against anyone who threatens the State of Israel,” the post on X said.