7:10 PM EDT:

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett posted a long statement on X Tuesday night saying that Israel "must act *now* to destroy Iran's nuclear program":

Israel has now its greatest opportunity in 50 years, to change the face of the Middle East.

The leadership of Iran, which used to be good at chess, made a terrible mistake this evening.

We must act *now* to destroy Iran’s nuclear program, its central energy facilities, and to fatally cripple this terrorist regime.

To strike the head of the octopus of terror, that, in its cowardice, sent its tentacles (Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, etc.) to murder us, while the Ayatollahs sat safely in their palaces in Tehran.

The octopus's tentacles are temporarily paralysed  - now comes the head.

We must remove this terrible threat to our children's future.

We can grant the Iranian people an opportunity to rise up and shake off the regime that tyrannizes its women and daughters.

We have the justification. We have the tools.

Now that Hezbollah and Hamas are paralyzed, Iran stands exposed.

Over this last terrible year, Iranian tentacles murdered our families.

• Raped our daughters.
• Kidnapped our children.
• Ransacked our towns.
• Burned our fields.
• Fired on our ships.
• Terrorized children in Kiryat Shmona, Kfar Aza, and Sderot.
• Emptied out whole regions of our land.
• Humiliated us.

Now is the moment.

A Nation of Lions has united and proven its strength over the last year. It has yearned for a change, for action, for so very long.

There are times when history knocks at our door, and we must open it. This opportunity must not be missed.

6:30 PM EDT:

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu had pointed and harsh words for Iran:

"Iran made a big mistake tonight - and it will pay for it. The regime in Iran does not understand our determination to defend ourselves and our determination to retaliate against our enemies. Sinwar and Deif did not understand this, Nasrallah and Mohsen did not understand this, and there are probably those in Tehran who do not understand this. They will understand. We will stand by the rule we have established: whoever attacks us - we will attack him"

Prime Minister Netanyahu:

Iran made a big mistake tonight and it will pay for it pic.twitter.com/QPAnfHqDjL

— Mossad Commentary (@MOSSADil) October 1, 2024

4:55 PM EDT:

Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon held a press conference in New York City and said: 

“An attack on this scale has not been seen since the blitz of London.

“They are a terrorist state. For years they armed terrorists in rogue states. They are responsible for the death of innocent civilians across the globe…

“Iran’s bloodstained fingers are everywhere. Until now they have hidden behind proxies, but the mask has dropped. They have exposed themselves directly launching hundreds of missiles into civilian areas. Their evil is now laid bare for all to see.

“I have called for an emergency session of the Security Council to convene as soon as possible to discuss this unprecedented attack and to issue a clear, unequivocal condemnation of Iran.

“Let me be clear. We will defend our people. We will act. Iran will soon feel the consequences of their actions. The response will be painful."

In response to questioning by the AP's resident geriatric correspondent, Danon said he was disappointed in UN Secretary-General Gutierres' comments calling for a ceasefire.

Separately, Jordan also intercepted Iranian missiles aimed at Israel.

CNN: A Jordanian official confirmed that Jordan intercepted Iranian missiles aimed at Israel tonight.

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) October 1, 2024

4:35 PM EDT:

After giving remarks related to the response to Hurricane Helene, President Biden was asked about how the U.S. and Israel would respond to the Iranian attack, and replied:

"That's an active discussion now. We've gotta get all the data straight. We've been in constant contact with the Israeli government and our counterparts, and that remains to be seen."

Biden said he hasn't spoken directly to Netanyahu on Tuesday, but his team has spoken to Netanyahu's team and that he will speak with Netanyahu personally after "we finally conclude what's needed."

When asked what the consequences for Iran should be, Biden replied, "That remains to be seen."

3:45 PM EDT:

Highlights from Pentagon press briefing:

Ryder confirmed the information shared by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan related to the number of missiles fired by Iran and U.S. involvement. He also said that despite reports to the contrary, he is not aware of any warning given by Iran to the United States prior to the attack, and repeated Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's warning to Iran that they better not touch or harm any U.S. servicemembers, citizens, or physical assets - or else.

Ryder chose his words carefully when asked on multiple occasions about U.S. support for any Israeli strikes into Iran:

“We fully support Israel’s right to defend itself….We’ll continue to work alongside them to support their defense. We, of course, do not want to see a wider regional conflict…but we also fully understand the fact that this was a significant attack by Iran.”

REPORTER: Did he [Defense Secretary Austin] urge Israel not to respond or to moderate any response to Iran?

PENTAGON: I can't get into the details. pic.twitter.com/HNFN08kIG1

— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) October 1, 2024

REPORTER: Is the U.S. willing to strike Iran in response to this?

PENTAGON: I don't want to get into hypotheticals. But should Iran or its proxies target U.S. forces, we will take the necessary steps to defend our people. pic.twitter.com/un76y1T8OI

— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) October 1, 2024

3:15 PM EDT:

Pentagon press briefing held by Maj Gen Pat Ryder.

LIVE: @PentagonPresSec Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder holds a news briefing at the Pentagon. https://t.co/K7ONPQ1UFL

— Department of Defense 🇺🇸 (@DeptofDefense) October 1, 2024

3:02 PM EDT:

According to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Iran's attack on Israel "appears to be defeated and ineffective." The U.S. military "coordinated closely with Israel Defence Forces to help defend Israel against this attack," which he said consisted of nearly 200 ballistic missiles.

Sullivan said officials are not aware of any casualties at this time but are "tracking the reported death of a Palestinian civilian in Jericho."

He termed the attack by Iran as "a significant escalation, a significant event," and when asked what the U.S. view is on whether Israel should retaliate, he said:

“We’ve had some initial discussions with the Israelis in the aftermath of this … we’ll continue those conversations in the hours ahead.”

When asked if there would be consequences for Iran as promised by President Biden, Sullivan said:

We have made clear that there will be severe consequences for this attack, and we will work with Israel to make sure that this is the case.

National Security advisor Jake Sullivan says Iran’s airstrike attack against Israel Tuesday “appears to have been defeated and ineffective.”

More: https://t.co/nSXvgMSTD0 pic.twitter.com/FGID1ZPPRr

— NewsNation (@NewsNation) October 1, 2024

Iran has vowed a "crushing response" for Israel if they retaliate for this strike.

2:36 PM EDT

🔴 The Israel Defense Forces announces that the Israeli Air Force will carry out "powerful airstrikes throughout the Middle East" tonight.

— Avi Mayer אבי מאיר (@AviMayer) October 1, 2024

2:30 PM EDT

Israel told the UN and Antonio Guterres to pound sand, kindly.

We condemn your inability to string together a tweet which holds Iran responsible for firing 181 ballistic missiles at 10 million Israeli civilians.@antonioguterres https://t.co/5MLYbYqLlz

— Israel ישראל (@Israel) October 1, 2024

The meeting in the White House situation room has reportedly ended, and Vice President Kamala Harris has left the room. 

The White House briefing has not yet started, and a Pentagon briefing is supposed to begin at 3 PM Eastern.

According to multiple reports, Iran briefed Russia before attacking Israel.

2:15 PM EDT

Jerusalem Post reports that Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken with British PM Keir Starmer and Jordan's King Abdullah regarding the Iranian attack and that the IDF has "ordered the closure of the military area in the region of Dovev, Tzi'on and Malkia."

2:08 PM EDT

Important to remember:

The missiles hitting Israel right now are the same ones Biden and Harris worked to lift UN sanctions on the first month he took office.

They said it would help promote diplomacy with Iran.pic.twitter.com/N8bC0laztU

— Gabriel Noronha (@GLNoronha) October 1, 2024

Syrian Army sources tell Reuters that Israel shot down several Iranian missiles over Syria.

Iranian mullahs warn Israel to not strike back.

Iran’s legal, rational, and legitimate response to the terrorist acts of the Zionist regime—which involved targeting Iranian nationals and interests and infringing upon the national sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran—has been duly carried out. Should the Zionist regime…

— I.R.IRAN Mission to UN, NY (@Iran_UN) October 1, 2024

(Useless) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' reaction:

I condemn the broadening of the Middle East conflict with escalation after escalation. This must stop. We absolutely need a ceasefire.

Benjamin Netanyahu's words on September 30 are even more important now.

The people of Iran should know - Israel stands with you pic.twitter.com/MfwfNqnTgE

— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) September 30, 2024

2:00 PM EDT

IDF states there are no known casualties at this time from Iran's missile attack.

A press briefing at the White House is scheduled any moment, and we will bring that information to you once it happens.

1:56 PM EDT

Germany responds with a statement from its Foreign Minister:

"We have urgently warned Iran about this dangerous escalation. Iran must stop attack immediately."

1:35 PM EDT

The air space over Israel, Jordan, and Iraq has been closed.

1:31 PM EDT

RAW FOOTAGE: Watch as Iranian missiles rain over the Old City in Jerusalem, a holy site for Muslims, Christians and Jews.

This is the target of the Iranian regime: everyone. pic.twitter.com/rIqUZWN3zy

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 1, 2024

1:27 PM EDT

National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett said:

President Biden and Vice President Harris are monitoring the Iranian attack against Israel from the White House Situation Room & receiving regular updates from their national security team. President Biden directed the US military to aid Israel’s defense against Iranian attacks & shoot down missiles targeting Israel.

1:22 PM EDT

The system being used to defend Israel in the current attack is the "David's Sling" system. US Veteran Bryan Suits explains: 

Israeli system isn't Iron Dome. Its the "David's Sling" system that Israel has based on the US Army's THAAD system. It's for ballistic threats. It seems to work. (Optical illusion after a successful intercept: Incoming target get broken up in it's terminal phase and stops moving… pic.twitter.com/U0hneHpwtV

— TheDarkSecretPlace (@darksecretplace) October 1, 2024

12:57 PM EDT

🚨Over 400 ballistic missiles have been launched so far at Israel from Iran. Direct hits in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Hod Hasharon, and Beer Sheva. No reports of injuries yet.

— Raylan Givens (@JewishWarrior13) October 1, 2024

ORIGINAL, 12:45 PM EDT

As expected, Iran has launched a ballistic missile attack at Israel after Israel's decapitation strike against Iran's proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon.

A western source with knowledge: Unlike the April attack, this time Iran is expected to attack Israel only with ballistic missiles that reach Israel within 12 minutes and not with drones or cruise missiles that allow for much longer preparation time for defense and interception https://t.co/mCibJkNb9g

— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) October 1, 2024

⭕️ IDF: A short while ago, missiles were launched from Iran towards the State of Israel.

Israelis are instructed to remain alert and precisely follow the Home Front Command's instructions

In the last few minutes, the Home Front Command has distributed life-saving instructions…

— Israel ישראל (@Israel) October 1, 2024

Earlier Tuesday, the United States government warned that an attack was imminent and advised any American citizens in Israel to get to bomb shelters immediately.

“The United States has indications that Iran is preparing to imminently launch a ballistic missile attack against Israel. We are actively supporting defensive preparations to defend Israel against this attack. A direct military attack from Iran against Israel will carry severe…

— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) October 1, 2024

This is a developing story. We will publish updates as they become available.