Evening recap

Hello Middle East Eye readers.

On Tuesday evening Middle East time, Iran launched a historic attack on Israel firing an estimated 180 missiles. This was Iran’s second direct attack on Israel in 2024, but unlike in April, Iran appeared to provide less advanced notice and attacked with fast moving ballistic missiles that reached Israel within 12 minutes of being fired, analysts said.

Iran targeted Israel’s Mossad headquarters in Tel Aviv and military air-bases, according to reports. The US and Israel intercepted many of the missiles, but others were seen landing and exploding in Israel, including in Tel Aviv.

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday said that Iran’s attack had been “defeated”. The US and Israel said there were no Israeli or American casualties, but one Palestinian man appeared to have been killed by falling debris.

A senior US official who spoke with Middle East Eye said Israel was still assessing the damage from strike. The US and Israel say they are coordinating a response. The attack raises the spectre of an all-out regional war erupting in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, moments before Iran launched its attack two gunmen opened fire at a light rail station in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, killing at least seven people and injuring 10 others. 

Other developments: 

• Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed credit for the attack
• Jordan, Iraq and Israel have reopened their airspace
• Oil prices surged five percent after Iran’s attack
• Media reports citing unnamed Iranian officials said Tehran informed the US of its missile attack on Israel 'shortly before' through diplomatic channels. US officials publicly denied this claim.
• Iraqi militias have threatened to target US forces if they help Israel retaliate against Iran
• Hamas released a statement praising Iran's attack on Israel with scenes of celebration in Gaza and southern Beirut
• Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, praised the attack saying it was just the first blow against Israel
• Iran’s president hailed Tuesday's attack on Israel, calling it a “decisive response,” but said the Islamic Republic does not want war
• Iran’s military has prepared hundreds of additional missiles to launch from its western borders if Israel or the US attack Iran, The New York Times reported.