Iran claims Israel missile attack and warns of 'crushing response' if it retaliates

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IGRC) has claimed it attacked Israel and warned the country will face "crushing attacks" if it responds to the Iranian operation

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IGRC) has claimed responsibility for an attack on Israel, issuing a stern warning that the country "will face crushing attacks" if it retaliates against the Iranian operation. This comes after Iran reportedly launched dozens of missiles into Israel on Tuesday, escalating the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran's regional proxies - Hezbollah and Hamas - and raising fears of a broader regional conflict.

As air raid sirens blared across the country, Israel instructed its citizens to stay near bomb shelters. The IGRC has now issued a chilling threat to Israel, insisting that any response to the Iranian operation will be met with "face crushing attacks".

Explosions that rattled windows were heard in Tel Aviv and near Jerusalem, but it remains unclear whether these were caused by incoming missiles, interceptions by Israeli defences, or both. Both Israel and the United States have warned of severe repercussions should Iran, which supports the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon, launch an attack on Israel.

In a message to his people, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "Citizens of Israel, we are in the midst of a campaign against Iran's axis of evil. Together we will fight and together we will win."

Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, a spokesman for the Israeli army, confirmed that the country's air defence system was fully operational and capable of detecting and intercepting threats, but cautioned that "However, the defence is not hermetic,", reports the Mirror.

Israelis received urgent shelter in place orders through mobile phone notifications and national television broadcasts after Iran claimed responsibility for firing dozens of ballistic missiles towards Israel. A statement broadcast on state television amidst the sound of explosions in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv took credit for the assault.

The statement invoked the memory of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Revolutionary Guard Gen. Abbas Nilforushan, who were both killed in a recent Israeli airstrike in Beirut.

Additionally, it remembered Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas figure assassinated in Tehran, allegedly by Israel, in July. Iran's statement ominously called this action a "first wave," leaving further intentions unspecified.

An anonymous high-level White House official issued a stark warning about "severe consequences" in response to any Iranian ballistic missile strikes against Israel. US naval and air forces are in the Middle East, ready to support Israel amid the growing tensions.

Similarly, Hagari conveyed his own grave warnings, advising the public to stay near protected areas, highlighting that the potential Iranian strike could be extensive.

Iran's earlier attempt to launch a direct attack on Israel in April was largely unsuccessful. Despite the large number of missiles launched, the majority either failed to reach their targets, were intercepted by a US-led coalition, or malfunctioned during flight or on launch.

Despite Hezbollah's denial of Israeli troops entering Lebanon, the Israeli army declared that it had conducted numerous ground raids into southern Lebanon over the past year. Israel shared video footage allegedly showing its soldiers operating in homes and tunnels used by Hezbollah for weapon storage.

If confirmed, this would be another embarrassing setback for Iran-backed Hezbollah, the most formidable armed group in the Middle East. Hezbollah has been staggering from weeks of targeted attacks that claimed the life of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and several of his top commanders.

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