What we know about Iran's recent missile attack on Israel

Iran has fired hundreds of missiles into Israel, at least some of which hit Israeli territory. It is Iran's second attack this year after it fired hundreds of missiles and drones into Israel in April.

Israeli army officials said the attacks appeared to be over and that there was no further threat from Iran “for now.” However, it is not yet clear how much damage was caused.

Here's what we know so far.

According to the Israeli military, Iran fired around 180 rockets at Israel. That would be a slightly larger attack than the April barrage in which about 110 ballistic missiles and 30 cruise missiles were fired at Israel.

Israeli television images appeared to show some rockets flying over the Tel Aviv area shortly before 7:45 p.m. local time (5:45 p.m. BST).

Military officials have confirmed that there were some hits during the attack. A military spokesman said Israel recorded “some hits in the center and other areas in the south of the country.”

Meanwhile, Iran claimed that 80% of the projectiles hit their targets. IRGC sources told state media in Tehran that they targeted three Israeli military bases in the attack.

But the Israeli military stressed that “a large portion” of the missiles fired by Iran had been intercepted. Lightning in the sky over Tel Aviv seemed to indicate that air defenses were intercepting incoming fire.

In Jerusalem, BBC reporters on the ground said they heard at least two wiretapping attempts.

Israeli medics said they had not yet received any reports of serious injuries, although two people were slightly injured by shrapnel. The military issued a similar message.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement that the attacks were in response to Israel's killing of a senior IRGC commander and leaders of Iranian-backed militias in the region.

It mentioned the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and IRGC commander Abbas Nilforoshan in Beirut last weekend.

Reference was also made to the assassination of Hamas politician Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July. Although Israel has not admitted to being behind Haniyeh's death, it is widely believed to be responsible.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that the country's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, personally gave the order for the attack.

The attacks are just the latest escalation in a long-running shadow war between the two powers. Iran does not recognize Israel's right to exist and seeks to exterminate it. For years it has supported paramilitary organizations that are part of the Axis of Resistance against Israel.

Israel believes Iran poses an existential threat and has been conducting covert operations against Tehran for years.

Israel has a sophisticated air defense system, the most famous of which is the Iron Dome. It is intended to intercept short-range missiles such as those fired by Hamas and Hezbollah.

While it was used to counter some elements of Iran's latest attack in April, other elements of the country's “layered” defense system likely did the bulk of the work on Tuesday.

David's Sling – a system jointly manufactured by the US and Israel – is used to intercept medium- and long-range missiles, as well as ballistic and cruise missiles. And when it comes to long-range ballistic missiles that fly outside Earth's atmosphere, Israel has the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 interceptors.

The White House said President Joe Biden ordered U.S. forces in the region to “support the defense of Israel” and shoot down Iranian missiles.

A Pentagon official told the BBC's US partner CBS News that American troops in the region had intercepted some of the incoming missiles and were continuing to defend Israel.

The Reuters news agency reported that some rockets were intercepted as they flew over neighboring Jordan. The country also fired several missiles during Iran's last attack in April.

The Israeli military is already warning of serious consequences following the attack. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Haggari said the attack was “serious” and the country remained on high alert.

“This attack will have consequences,” Rear Admiral Haggari said. “We have plans and will operate at the location and time we choose.”

Earlier, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said after a conversation with the country's defense minister Yoav Gallant that there would be “serious consequences” for Iran if it were to attack Israel.

In its statement, the IRGC said Tehran's response would be “even more devastating and ruinous” if Israel retaliated.