The attack comes after decades of mutual hostility and a long-running shadow war of covert strikes and sabotage.

Iran announced it had launched some 100 missiles and vowed further retaliation for Israel’s sweeping attacks on its infrastructure, which have killed 224 so far.

Over the past year, Israel has openly clashed with Tehran, firing rocket salvos deep into Iran. After militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israeli communities in October 2023, Israel dismantled many of Iran’s allies, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.