Iran launched a barrage of missiles at Israel on Sunday, hours after the US joined the Israeli military’s campaign and bombed three nuclear sites at the Islamic country.
Videos circulated on social media showed thick smoke billowing from Tel Aviv, as its streets wore a deserted look. It also showed several vehicles parked in a haphazard manner, suggesting that local residents may have rushed to take shelter amid the missile downpour.
According to Israeli rescue services, a building in central Israel was among those hit by Iran. Iran said it targeted Ben Gurion airport among other Israeli sites.
At least 11 people have been reported injured so far, Israeli rescue services said.
On Sunday, the US targeted three nuclear sites in Iran, as it intervened in the ongoing conflict between the Islamic Republic and Israel and triggered fears of dangerous escalation of tensions across the Middle East. US B-2 Spirit bombers flew non-stop for about 37 hours from Missouri to deliver what US President Donald Trump called a “very successful attack” on Iran’s nuclear programme.
The strikes, carried out with a combination of bunker-buster bombs and Tomahawk missiles, were the most direct US military action against Iran in years. Trump said six bunker-buster bombs were dropped on Fordow, and around 30 Tomahawk missiles targeted other nuclear installations.
He warned Tehran of “far greater” consequences if it did not end its conflict with Israel.
There will either be peace or tragedy, Mr Trump said and warned the Islamic Republic of more “precision strikes” if it did not end its conflict with Israel. “This cannot continue. There will either be peace or tragedy for Iran, far greater than what we have witnessed over the last eight days,” he told a press briefing at the Oval Office.
The US’ attack on Iran’s three nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan came after days of deliberation and long before the President’s self-imposed two-week deadline to take a call. His decision to join Israel’s military campaign against its major rival Iran is viewed as a major escalation of the conflict.
Iranian media reported that part of Fordo nuclear site was ‘attacked by enemy strikes’.
Thanking Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he said: “I want to thank and congratulate Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu. We worked as a team, like perhaps no team has ever worked before, and we’ve gone a long way to erasing this horrible threat to Israel. I want to thank the Israeli military for the wonderful job they’ve done.”