Topline
The Israeli Defense Forces said Iran fired rockets at Israel just before 1 p.m. EDT—news that comes after the U.S. said it believed Iran was preparing to “imminently” launch missile strikes against Israel, potentially escalating the war in the Middle East.
Rockets fired from southern Lebanon are intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome air defence system over … [+]
Key Facts
The IDF said Iran fired rockets in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, at 12:35 p.m. EDT.
In a follow up post, Israel’s military said Israeli civilians are in bomb shelters.
A senior White House official said earlier on Tuesday the U.S. had “indications” Iran would launch a “ballistic missile strike against Israel” imminently, though the scale of the attack wasn’t clear, CNN reported.
The unnamed official told CNN the U.S. was “actively supporting” preparations to defend Israel against the expected attack, which would carry “severe consequences” for Iran.
This story is breaking and will be updated.
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you’ll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
Key Background
Iranian officials reportedly warned they would retaliate against Israel for a strike last week that killed the longtime leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah. Nasrallah was one of at least seven Hezbollah leaders killed in recent weeks as Israel has increased its attacks in Lebanon against Hezbollah. The attacks increased after Israel’s Security Cabinet updated its objectives of war in mid-September to include “returning the residents of the north securely to their homes.” As attacks have ramped up, so have concerns about the conflict expanding to the wider Middle East. President Joe Biden called for a cease-fire Monday ahead of Israel launching “targeted ground raids” in southern Lebanon, and the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement Tuesday “an all-out war must be avoided in Lebanon at all costs, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon must be respected.”
