Israel launches missiles into Iran as revenge strike BEGINS after Tehran told it ‘will pay the price’ for drone attack

ISRAEL has launched missiles into Iran with numerous explosions heard from the capital Tehran.

The region has been bracing for Israeli response to Iran’s attack earlier this month.

The Israeli military said it is “conducting precise strikes on military targets in Iran” in response to the region and its proxies “relentlessly attacking Israel since October 7”.

Iran’s state TV said several strong explosions were heard around the capital.

Blasts were also heard in the Damascus countryside and central region.

Several military bases in the west and southwest of Tehran were targeted, according to Iranian news reports.

Witnesses in Tehran confirmed hearing loud explosions.

“It was so loud and the sky became red,” said an Iranian resident in Tehran, who asked not to be named. 

The White House was warned shortly before the strikes began but the US was not involved, according to reports.

The ID’s Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari confirmed on X: “In response to months of continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against the State of Israel—right now the Israel Defense Forces is conducting precise strikes on military targets in Iran.

“The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking Israel since October 7th—on seven fronts—including direct attacks from Iranian soil.

“Like every other sovereign country in the world, the State of Israel has the right and the duty to respond.

“Our defensive and offensive capabilities are fully mobilized. We will do whatever necessary to defend the State of Israel and the people of Israel.”

Israel has been planning a response to a ballistic-missile barrage carried out by Iran on October 1, Tehran’s second direct attack on Israel in six months. 

Iranian authorities have warned Israel against launching an attack, saying any strike on Iran would be met with a stronger retaliation.

A few days ago secret plans showing Israel’s preparation for a potential revenge strike on Iran were leaked, US officials confirmed.

The intel leak, described as “deeply concerning”, comes amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran as the Middle East stands on the brink of all-out war.

The alleged documents, marked as “top secret”, are said to contain US intelligence analysing Israel’s inevitable retaliation plan against Iran.

Tehran went all out and launched an unprecedented blitz – attacking Israeli territory with some 200 ballistic missiles.

It was believed to be revenge for the killing of Hassan Nasrallah, the chief of Iran’s biggest – and most powerful – terror proxy Hezbollah.

Parts of the leaked document, dated October 15 and 16, reportedly contain satellite imagery appearing to show Israel’s preparation of munitions and military drills, according to the New York Times.

Others describe the assessment of the Israeli Air Force exercising long-range ballistic and air-to-surface missiles – believed to be planned for a potential strike against Iran.

The documents also suggest Israel was conducting covert surveillance on Iran using advanced drone technology.

The Sun is not directly quoting or showing the information from the leaked documents.

MORE LATEST IN THE MIDDLE EAST WAR

Hezbollah fired a salvo of more than 100 rockets into Israel, killing at least one person and injuring others in the northern region of the country.

Footage shared by the IDF shows a building destroyed by the rocket attack that was launched from Lebanon targeting innocent Israeli people.

Posting the clip on X/Twitter, the IDF said: “Hezbollah fires rockets indiscriminately, and this is the result.”

Israel launched its ground operation in Lebanon earlier this month to weaken Hezbollah and push the terror group away from the border to allow displaced Israelis to return.

In response, IDF struck multiple targets inside Lebanon which they claim are Hezbollah strongholds.

Some of the buildings struck were Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters and an underground weapons workshop in Beirut< Israel claims.

The Israeli military also issued fresh evacuation warnings for civilians staying in Beirut’s southern suburb.

IDF Col. Avichay Adraee said: “You are in the vicinity of Hezbollah facilities, which the IDF will operate against in the near future.”

Israel is now at war with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon – both Iran-backed militant groups.

The IDF have been striking parts of northern Gaza, claiming they are aiming to wipe out Hamas brutes.

But the strikes have also killed scores of Palestinians who were present in the densely populated area.

More than 42,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war so far, according to Gaza-run health centres.

The figure also includes Hamas terrorists.