Israel has sent a powerful message to Iran after launching an attack on key targets in the central city of Isfahan.
Today, the rulebook dictating the parameters of Middle Eastern conflict were redrawn when Israel launched a number of strikes on its enemy - an apparent revenge attack for Tehran's drone operation last Saturday. That attack made Iran the first sovereign nation to strike Israel on its home soil in almost three decades.
Though the missiles failed to cause any lasting damage or casualties, many experts believe Israel was simply trying to send a message to Iran - that it is capable and ready to carry out attacks deep inside enemy territory. Analysts add the two countries - which have been fighting proxy wars for years - have now crossed a line by attacking each other directly, which will change the future of the Middle East.
Iran fired air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site near the central city of Isfahan after spotting the drones early Friday morning. Reporting from Jerusalem, Mirror defence editor Chris Hughes says Israel may well have to try to take out Iran’s nuclear sites some time soon with the retaliatory strikes carrying a message from Israel that they can get to Iran and also a strong indication of what its priorities are.
As the bombs rained down, Iranian air defences sought to shoot Israeli missiles from the air. Iranian media outlets have shared videos of air defence operations at locations near the "nuclear energy mountain" in Isfahan. The city is also home to the underground Natanz enrichment site, which has been repeatedly targeted in suspected Israeli sabotage attacks.
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Gaza death toll reaches grim milestone
More than 34,000 men, woman and children have now been killed in Israel's strikes on Gaza, Hamas' Ministry of Health claims.
The total confirmed figure is currently at 34,012, they said on Friday. Some 42 Palestinians died following Israeli attacks in the previous 24 hours, the ministry said. A further 63 were injured. The figures cannot be independently verified.
How latest developments in conflict will affect travel
As commercial flights to Iran are suspended, departures grounded and the country's air space cleared, the mounting conflict in the Middle East will impact on travel plans.
The Foreign Office has now urged against any travel to Iran for now, updating its guidance following this morning's strike. While any Brit travelling to the MIddle East will likely see their insurance invalidated. It also means the UK government is unlikely to help any British citizens who find themselves in trouble having willingly travelled there.
"If you’re a British national already in Iran, either resident or visitor, carefully consider your presence there and the risks you take by staying," the Foreign Office website states. "FCDO advises against all travel to Iran. British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arbitrary arrest, questioning or detention in Iran. Holding a British passport can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to question you. If you are detained in Iran, you could face months or years in prison.
"On 13 April 2024 Iran launched an attack against Israel, using UAVs, ballistic and cruise missiles fired from Iran into Israel. We are aware of reports that on 19 April Israel attacked sites in Iran in response."
Mirror editor Chris Hughes reports on the situation from Jerusalem
Mirror Defence Editor Chris Hughes is updating readers on the ongoing situation from Jerusalem's Old City.
In a video, he explains: "I'm in Jerusalem's Old City, where the site of the Al-Aqsa Mosque is, one of the three most-sacred Islamic sites in the world. We're here because we're reporting on the ongoing clash between Iran and Israel.
"Early this morning, Israel launched attacks in the centre of Iran in response to a huge missile and drone strike by Iran on Saturday. That was thwarted by a huge coalition of Israel, the US, Saudi and Jordanian air forces.
"That was all a response to an Israeli strike on a Damascus site on April 1, which killed an IRGC general called Mohammad Zahedi.
"Now it seems both sides are trying not to escalate while saving face and going up the escalatory ladder. The latest is that Israel has firmly put the next move in the hands of Tehran, so everyone here is slightly tense waiting for the response from Tehran.
"And we don't know what that will be at the moment. They're saying that they aren't going to immediately respond. Earlier this week their foreign ministry said they would respond within seconds, but they haven't thus far.
"So we'll see what happens. But for now it seems peaceful in central Jerusalem and we'll be here to report on what happens in the coming hours and days."
'Israel's attack on Iran brings us closer to nuclear holocaust - even Putin is telling them to cool it'
Israel’s new attack on Iran is pushing us closer to World War Three and a “nuclear holocaust”, a defence expert has warned.
Tensions are rising ever higher in the Middle East with Israel striking an Iranian air base and a nuclear site near the city of Isfahan early on Friday morning. It was the latest tit-for-tat attack exchanged between the two countries.
Iran launched hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles at Israel on April 13 with 99% claimed to have been intercepted by Israel’s own defences and in coordination with a US led coalition of partners. Iran was retaliating after Israel bombed Iran’s consulate in Damascus on April 1 killing seven members of the Islamic Revolution’s Guards Corps. A high-ranking commander and his deputy were killed during the attack.
US not involved in operations
Seeking to distance itself from the current escalation, the United States says it has not been involved in the Israeli operation on Iranian soil.
"What we're focused on, what the G7 is focused on, and again, it's reflected in our statement and in our conversation, is our work to de-escalate tensions," US Secretary of Stae Antony Blinken said.
While the US was notified in advance of the intended strike, it did not endorse the response.
Man 'armed with grenade and wearing explosives vest' forces way into Iran consulate
Anti-terror police have surrounded an Iranian consulate after receiving reports of a man armed with a grenade in Paris.
The man is said to have forced his way inside whilst allegedly wearing a vest packed with explosives on Friday.
A security source at the scene said: "The man presented him at the consulate, and then removed his coat, to show off an alleged explosives vest. He said he was carrying a grenade, and then placed a national flag on the floor. He said he wanted to avenge his brother."
Iran's chilling threat to drop nuclear pledge as Israel tensions spike after missile strike amid WW3 fears
A stark WW3 warning has been sounded following huge explosions heard in Iran over the city of Isfahan early this morning.
Home to a major airbase and one of the countries top nuclear facilities, the explosions, which have rocked the country, are reportedly a retaliatory strike by Israel, following Iran’s first ever direct attack on the country last week, where, according to US officials, more than 300 drones and missiles were fired.
This was in direct repose to the 1 April attack on the Damascus consulate that killed at least seven officials, including a top Iranian commander. Airspace was shut down around the city of Isfahan following the apparent attack earlier today, which has led to Iran activating its air defence systems overnight after reports of the explosion, as tensions reach boiling point in the Middle East.
Far-right Israeli minister slammed for 'unforgivable tweet' ridiculing military strike in Iran
Yair Lapid - the leader of the Israeli opposition - has slammed controversial National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir for an outrageous tweet this morning.
Taking to Twitter, Ben Gvir wrote a Hebrew word for "lame", mere hours after explosions rang out across Iran.
In recent days, Ben Gvir has been calling for Israel to hit back hard after Saturday's attack.
Former prime minister Lapid said that Ben Gvir had "managed to mock and shame Israel from Tehran to Washington."
Inside Isfahan city hit by missile where sites from ancient history lie near chilling nuclear arsenal
An Israeli missile is believed to have struck the Iranian city of Isfahan overnight in a serious escalation of the conflict between the two countries.
Iranian media cited unconfirmed reports of explosions in the central province of Isfahan on Friday morning, while Iran's state broadcaster IRIB downplayed reports of an attack, saying Isfahan is "safe and sound."
"Important facilities in the Isfahan province, especially nuclear facilities, are completely safe and no accidents have been reported," Iranian state broadcaster Press TV said, citing officials.
Why was Isfahan targeted?
The exact locations in Israel's sights are currently unclear as both Israel and Iran are refusing to indicate what was hit.
However, the city is where a massive airbase is located, as well as a major missile production complex and a number of nuclear facilities.
In 2023, the air base was the site of a test flight of the Yasin jet - an aircraft being used by Iran's armed forces.
Shahed Aviation Industries is also located in the city. The company manufactures the country's signature drones - like those used last week in Tehran's attacks.
'Israel's strikes do little damage but send powerful 'last word' message to Iran'
Early reports of the Israeli retaliatory strikes against an Iranian air base and a nuclear site indicate they were not hugely physically damaging.
But they carry a message from Israel that they can get to Iran and also a strong indication of what its priorities are - the military and Iran’s nuclear interests. The single most important thing Israel feels it has to destroy as a priority is Iran’s ability, sometime in the near future, to gain nuclear capability.
For the short term it seems these demonstrative ping-pong strikes between Israel and Iran are some kind of tit-for-tat chess game to muscle flex. But Israel and Iran have been conducting war against each other for years via proxies - Israel assassinating Iran’s nuclear scientists and military leaders, and Iran’s outreach partners Hezbollah, Hamas and others striking Israel.
'Israel's strikes do little damage but send powerful 'last word' message to Iran'
Rishi Sunak calls for 'calm heads' after reports of Israeli strikes
Rishi Sunak called for "calm heads" to prevail in the Middle East after reports Israel carried out an attack on Iran.
Answering a question after a speech on welfare reform, the Prime Minister said: "As you would appreciate, it's a developing situation.
"It wouldn't be right for me to speculate until the facts become clear, and we're working to confirm the details together with allies.
"We have condemned Iran's reckless and dangerous barrage of missiles against Israel on Saturday and Israel absolutely has the right to self defence. But as I said to Prime Minister Netanyahu when I spoke to him last week, and more generally, significant escalation is not in anyone's interest. What we want to see is calm heads prevail across the region."
Downing Street says Israel has right to self defence
The UK Government earlier said that Israel has a right to self defence after missiles were launched on Isfahan.
The prime minister’s office said: “We have been stressing to Israelis that what matters now is de-escalation".
Flight map shows empty skies after Israel 'bombs Iran' with all planes grounded
Flights radar maps show empty air space over Iran as the nation suspended flights over several cities, including the central city of Isfahan, where explosions were heard near the airport.
A senior US official told ABC News that Israel had begun their strike against Iran in retaliation for the 300 missiles that Iran launched over Israel last week. A Fox News report cited a 'well-placed military official' as saying the strike 'was limited.'
Iran’s Fars news agency earlier reported explosions were heard near its airport, but “the cause of these sounds is still unknown, and investigations continue until the exact details of the incident are determined,” the semi-official Fars news agency said in a statement.
Since the explosions, “Flights over Isfahan, Shiraz and Tehran cities have been suspended,” state media reported.
Iran flight map shows empty skies as Israel 'launches revenge strike' with planes grounded
Background about the conflict
- Iran has been expecting an attack on its soil for the past six days after Israel warned it would be responding to Saturday's drone strike.
- During Iran's operation last weekend, more than 300 missiles and drones were launched at Israel on April 13 - in an unprecedented attack. Most of them were shot down by either Israel or its Western allies before they landed in Israeli territory.
- According to Tehran, the strikes were in response to an attack on its consulate in Syria. The death toll from the Israeli strike stands at 13.
- Israel said it planned to respond to the attack. World leaders have been urging restraint.
UK urges de-escalation and moderation amid reports of Israeli strike
The Government is stressing the need for "de-escalation and moderation" amid reports of a retaliatory attack by Israel against Iran.
Cabinet minister Mel Stride said the UK recognises Israel's right to defend itself, while also pressing its ally to "work hard towards de-escalation".
Iran said it fired air defence systems early on Friday to shoot down drones spotted at a major air base and nuclear site near the city of Isfahan, raising fears of a wider conflagration in the region.
Unnamed US officials said Israel carried out the airstrikes, according to reports, days after Israel was targeted by a barrage of Iranian drones and missiles.
Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron is discussing the developments with counterparts at the G7 foreign ministers meeting in Italy, Mr Stride said.
Israel's strike was a warning that it could hit targets inside the country with ease
Though Israel is yet to acknowledge the attack, experts believe it was seeking to send a message to Iran that it could attack deep inside the country with ease.
Former IDF spokesman Jonathan Conricus wrote on Twitter: “Iran seeks to return to the shadows and is downplaying the Israeli strike on the strategic city of Isfahan, but I think they’ve gotten the message: Israel can penetrate Iranian defences and strike wherever it wants.”
What we know about the Israeli attack
Iran has been struck by an Israeli missile overnight, less than a week after Tehran launched its own attack on Israeli ground last weekend.
- Countless reports have emerged of explosions heard in Isfahan, with videos shared on social media showing Iranian air defences plucking missiles out of the sky.
- Three drones were reportedly destroyed by the country's air defence systems, according to Iranian media outlets.
- Quoting an Isfahan-based army general, locals news said there has been no damage as a result of the attack.
- Isfahan, in the centre of the country, is the site of a large airbase, a major missile production complex and a number of nuclear facilities.
- The UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said they hadn't detected any damage at the nuclear sites.
- Both the Pentagon and the Israeli military are refusing to comment at the present moment.
Watch as Iranian air defences shoot Israeli missiles in the skies over Isfahan
Footage has been circulating this morning purporting to show Iranian air defences knocking Israeli missiles out of the sky.
One video showed bright lights dotted across the night sky amid reports of bombs raining down on a number of areas, including Isfahan.
Iran says it has 'our hands on the trigger' if Israel targets nuclear sites in chilling warning
Yesterday, Iran said its "hands are on the trigger" if Israel targets nuclear sites - amid concerns its nuclear doctrine is to be reviewed, according to a top military official.
A senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander force in charge of the Protection and Security of Nuclear Centers in the country, Major General Ahmad Haghtalab, has revealed it could change its previous nuclear doctrine if the nuclear facilities are threatened by Israel. In an alarming address, the military official warned that Iranian armed forces are ready to tackle any threat from Israel with the advanced air defence they have.
Tehran has always maintained its nuclear program was strictly for peaceful purposes. He said: "The possible threats from the Zionist regime are not something new. Since the previous years, the fake Zionist regime not only has threatened, it has done acts of sabotage and terrorist actions against the nuclear industry."
Iran says it has 'our hands on the trigger' if Israel targets nuclear sites in chilling warning
Major flight disruption as carriers forced to reroute around Iran
Flight carriers scrambled to reroute flights around under-fire Iran this morning amid reports of an Israeli attack.
Airlines were forced to change the flight paths, divert to alternative airports or return planes altogether.
Aviation authorities in Iran grounded all commercial flights in Tehran, Shiraz and Isfahan, with loudspeakers announcing news of the bombardment at Imam Khomeini Airport.
The airports and airspace had reopened around an hour later, but some carriers cancelled flights altogether. Emirates, FlyDubai, Turkish Air, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi and Belavia continued flying over parts of the airspace that remained opened.
Watch chilling 'moment Israel strikes Iran' as explosions light up the night sky in harrowing video
Harrowing footage has emerged appearing to show the moment Israeli drones were shot down by Iran in an apparent revenge strike.
The video that has not yet been officially verified shows the night sky lit up by a series of explosions. The footage is captioned: " Israel missile strike targeted a site in Iran. Explosions in Isfahan in central Iran, in the As-Suwayda Governorate of southern Syria, and in the Baghdad area and Babil Governorate of Iraq."
Elsewhere, horrifying photos have emerged showing plumes of smoke rising into the air after the strike as the targeted facilities erupted into flames. It happened in Isfahan, which is home to a major airbase for Iran's military and is associated with the country's nuclear program, though it is not believed to have been the target of the attack.
Watch chilling 'moment Israel strikes Iran' as explosions light up the night sky in harrowing video
WW3 fears as 'down with USA' signs seen at parade
Iran has hailed the success of their attack on Israel - as the state remains embroiled in conflict with Hamas in Gaza - at their annual military parade.
The parade comes after a weekend of violent drone and missile attacks they deem a "success", with military leaders coming together on Wednesday. With fears of WW3 growing , one particularly worrying scene unfolded at the annual show of military force and prowess, as a chilling sign was displayed saying simply "down with USA".
Tensions between Iran and the West have been prominent over the past couple of years, but Israel's strike on the Iranian Embassy in Damascus sparked fury and reaction from Iran. The strike levelled the five-storey consular annex of the Iranian embassy and killed seven Revolutionary Guards, two of them generals.
Mirror on the ground in Israel - as fears mount over fresh Iran attack
Tension stalked Israel’s streets earlier this week as the world awaited its next move in retaliation for Iran’s massive missile attack.
Iran’s defences are on high-alert for an expected Israeli revenge strike amid fears it could spark a bloody war between the two bitter enemies. Heavily-armed off-duty Israeli security officers are at the ready and many locals believe Israel should strike immediately, defying western pleas for de-escalation.
All military leave has been cancelled and Israelis are busy buying produce for the forthcoming Passover one week’s holiday - whilst worrying about the onset of war. In Tel Aviv’s huge Hakarmel Market opinion varied from “hit them hard now- Israel is stronger than Iran” to “Netanyahu has to go - we need peace again.”
Scholar Rami Reich, 29, a member of the biggest Orthodox Jewish sect Habad, is a volunteer who helps locals to pray in the street and told us: “We need to hit them back very hard and we need to do it right now - this is the land of Jews and it is the safest of places because God will save us.”
Iran not planning 'immediate response'
A senior Iranian official has said that Tehran is not planning to launch an immediate revenge strike for Israel's bombardment this morning.
He told Reuters that officials are taking their time because it's "unclear who is behind it".
Fears conflict could spread even further if Iran's proxies attack
The incident Friday in Iran also sparked concerns about the conflict again escalating across the seas of the Middle East, which have been seeing attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels of Yemen on shipping over the war in Gaza.
The British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center warned ships in the region that they could see increased drone activity in the skies.
"There are currently no indications commercial vessels are the intended target," it wrote.
The Houthis have launched at least 53 attacks on shipping, seized one vessel and sank another since November, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration.
What is happening this morning?
Iran has fired its air defense batteries in several provinces following reports of explosions as Israel has tonight retaliated against its enemy.
Fears of World War III are increasing tonight as the state-run IRNA news agency reports blasts have been heard and felt near the central Iranian city of Isfahan. The early Friday morning chaos has sparked fears Iran is now under attack in revenge for its unprecedented missile-and-drone strike on Israel - and of war breaking out across the region
People in the area reportedly heard the sounds of the explosions and the activation of the Iranian battery defence systems. A US official told ABC News the strikes came from Israel and were meant to target Iran. The retaliatory strike has not been officially confirmed by Israel.
An official hinted that drone attacks might have targeted certain sites, though this remains unconfirmed. The Israeli military has not provided any comments in response to inquiries. IRNA reported that the air defenses were triggered across multiple provinces, but did not specify what prompted the action. Meanwhile, residents reported hearing loud sounds throughout the region. Both the semi-official Fars and Tasnim news agencies also mentioned hearing blasts but did not provide further details. State television acknowledged the "loud noise" heard around the area.
Iran fires air defence missiles after Israel launches 'revenge strike'
'Quadcopter' drones shot down over Iran
A number of "quadcopter" drones have been spotted flying over Iran this morning.
Hossein Dalirian, a spokesperson for an Iranian government cyberspace agency who as a journalist had ties to Iranian defense officials, said on the social media platform X that several small "quadcopter" drones had been shot down.
A state television reporter in Isfahan said the same in a live report, saying "several small drones were flying in the sky over Isfahan, which were fired at."
Iran halts domestic flights amid Israeli strikes
Dubai-based carriers Emirates and FlyDubai began diverting around western Iran about 4:30 a.m. local time. They offered no explanation, though local warnings to aviators suggested the airspace may have been closed.
Iran then grounded commercial flights in Tehran and across areas of its western and central regions. Loudspeakers informed customers of the incident at Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran, online videos purported to show. Iran later restored normal flight service, authorities said.