Israel has reported that Iran launched over 180 missiles in a large-scale attack, raising concerns about a potential regional war. Millions of people sought shelter as explosions illuminated the skies above Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. A man was tragically killed by falling missile debris in Jericho, according to Palestinian officials. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Iran had made a "big mistake" and would face consequences. Iranian state TV claimed that Iran fired 200 missiles, including hypersonic weapons, in retaliation for the killings of leaders of its allies Hezbollah and Hamas.

After a massive barrage on Tuesday evening local time, Israel's military resumed air strikes against what it said were Hezbollah targets in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, Beirut. US President Joe Biden said the Iranian missile attack appeared to have been “defeated and ineffective”. The US Department of Defense confirmed its forces had helped shoot down missiles in support of its Middle East ally. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the majority of missiles were "intercepted by Israel and a defensive coalition led by the United States”. There was support for Israel from allies including Britain, France, Japan, and Australia - with UK Defense Secretary John Healey issuing a statement saying the armed forces "had played their part in attempts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East". The missile attack came hours after Israeli troops began an invasion of southern Lebanon to remove what the military said were "Hezbollah terror targets” in border villages that posed a threat to residents of northern Israel.

Iran's chief of staff, Maj Gen Mohammad Bagheri, stated on Wednesday that Iran would target infrastructure across Israel if it were to strike back. He warned that the attacks would be intensified and would target all regime infrastructure. This statement comes after Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps claimed to have targeted unspecified "sensitive security and military" centers in retaliation for what they described as a "violation of Iran’s sovereignty" and the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, which Iranian officials blamed on Israel. The missile barrage was described as a legitimate right of the nation to defend itself. Iranian state media later claimed that missiles had hit air bases and tanks in Israel, as well as gas installations in the city of Ashkelon. This incident occurred shortly after a senior White House official mentioned that the US had indications of Iran preparing to launch missiles imminently.

In April, Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel in retaliation for a deadly strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria. Israel responded by launching a missile at an Iranian air base. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei promised that the death of his close ally Hassan Nasrallah would “not go unavenged". He stated that the fate of the region would be determined by the forces of resistance, with Hezbollah at the forefront. Iran has built a network of allied armed groups across the Middle East, including Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and several Shia militias in Iraq and Syria, all of which are opposed to the US and Israel.