Iran launches retaliatory missile attack in response to Israel nuclear site strikes: What to know

The Israeli military launched a massive attack on Iran on Friday in a dramatic escalation of their long-running conflict that drew a retaliatory missile assault from Tehran and raised the risk of another war in the Middle East

The Israeli military launched a massive attack on Iran on Friday in a dramatic escalation of their long-running conflict that drew a retaliatory missile assault from Tehran and raised the risk of another war in the Middle East.

The Israeli strikes took out a significant swath of Iran's top military leaders and senior scientists, as Israel unleashed more than 200 fighter jets across roughly 100 targets. They were aimed at Iran’s main enrichment facility and targets associated with the country’s ballistic missile program, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

In a firm response Friday evening local time, Iran launched missiles toward Israel, the nation’s defense forces said, prompting its highly sophisticated defense systems to "intercept the threat."

Heavy smoke appeared in the night sky over Tel Aviv as incoming rockets from Iran descended on the city, with many intercepted by Israel’s missile defense systems. Before the retaliatory attack began, the Israel Defense Forces directed residents across the country to remain close to protected spaces, minimize movement in public areas and avoid public gatherings.

Police officers and bomb disposal experts responded to reports of fallen projectile debris, according to the Israeli Police, which advised people to report “suspicious findings” to an emergency hotline.