Minutes before Iran began the strike, at least two gunmen in the Israeli seaside city of Jaffa launched an attack that killed six and wounded 10, sowing further concerns that the rising cycle of violence could lead to terror attacks inside Israel.
The White House earlier warned it had indications that Iran was preparing to “imminently” launch a ballistic missile attack against Israel.
The state department later said there had been no warning from Tehran, although some reports suggested the Iranians had told the Russians what they were planning.
“We are actively supporting defensive preparations to defend Israel against this attack,” a senior official said in a statement, warning that such an action “will carry severe consequences for Iran”.
US destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean Sea took down multiple missiles launched by Iran, US defence officials said. At the moment, those there include the USS Arleigh Burke, USS Cole and USS Bulkeley. Additional destroyers are in the Red Sea.
The British prime minister, Keir Starmer, who was on the phone with the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, when the barrage of missiles began on Tuesday, condemned the Iranian attack.
Downing Street said he reiterated to Netanyahu the UK’s commitment to Israel’s security and the protection of civilians, but emphasised the importance of seeking ceasefires in Lebanon and Gaza.
The UK defence secretary John Healey said that British forces “played their part in attempts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East”.
