Air raid sirens blared across Israel Friday afternoon as Iran launched roughly 200 ballistic missiles at Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and other cities in response to the Jewish state's surprise strike on Tehran's contested nuclear sites. At least 35 Israelis are reported injured, with one woman in critical condition, though the numbers could rise as the situation unfolds.
Explosions could be heard in downtown Tel Aviv, and footage posted in real time on social media showed smoke columns rising from the ground. Axios reported that several missiles evaded Israel's air defense systems and landed in Tel Aviv.
Tehran also targeted Jerusalem in its strikes against Israel, while the Iron Dome missile defense system destroyed at least a portion of the rockets aimed at the holy city. Iran launched a second "barrage of dozens of missiles" at Israel shortly after the initial attack, according to the New York Times.
"Another volley of dozens of missiles was launched towards" Israel, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed in a subsequent statement. American forces are reportedly helping Israel deter the attack.
Israeli defense minister Israel Katz said Iran's attack on heavily populated civilian areas "crossed a red line," warning that "the Ayatollah regime would pay a very heavy price."
Several of those injured during the attack were hit with "shrapnel," according to Israeli emergency services.
In an earlier message, shortly after Iran launched the first wave of missiles, the IDF instructed the Israeli public "to enter a protected space and remain there until further notice. Leaving the protected space is only permitted following an explicit directive. Continue to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command."
Israel's red alert system issued warnings across the country, urging citizens to immediately seek shelter. Iranian state media reported that an "Iranian missile hit [Israel's] ministry of war." It also released footage of the ballistic missiles being fired towards Israel.
Warning sirens were also expected to sound in Haifa, the Galilee region, and the Golan Heights, all located in Israel's northern territories, according to ABC News.
"The attack is ongoing," the IDF said in a second statement. "The explosions you are hearing are from interceptions or fallen projectiles."
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), decimated during Israel's opening salvo on Thursday, said it struck "dozens" of Israeli targets "forcefully and with precision," according to the Times. The IRGC claims these sites include military and defense targets inside Israel.
Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei committed earlier Friday to a full-blown war against Israel, saying, "They should not think they have attacked and it's over."
"They started it, they started a war," Khamanei said. "We will not allow them to escape this big crime unharmed. Iran's armed forces will definitely be striking hard."
Israel reportedly warned Iran in recent days that any strike on civilians, such as those in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, will prompt the Jewish state to target Tehran's lucrative oil fields.
Iran initially responded to Israel's attack by sending more than 100 attack drones, but Israel said it successfully shot down all the drones.