THIS is the chilling moment diehard Iranians celebrate Tuesday’s deadly blitz on Israel as MPs chant “death to America” in parliament.
The harrowing scenes in Tehran came as Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed his troops and terror proxies are ready for war – despite him reportedly cowering away in hiding.
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An unprecedented 181-missile barrage was launched into Tel Aviv from Iran yesterday following the IDF’s push across the Lebanese border.
Father-of-three Sameh al-Asali, 37, was the sole victim of the horror attack as he was killed instantly by falling shrapnel from the ballistic missiles.
Iranians across the country rejoiced after hearing their terror regime had fired back at Israel.
Disturbing footage shows hundreds of MPs and officials celebrating the destruction of their archenemies land.
They can be seen and heard singing in unison “death to America” as many punch the air with their fists clenched.
The rapturous chanting was followed by readings from the Quran.
Iranians have seemingly taken the attack on Israel as a victory for their military as news outlets in country joined the MPs in celebrating.
The Tehran Times proudly printed a full-page image of a ballistic missile being launched followed by the headline “We’re Ready”.
A comment from the Iranian Revolutionary guards (IRGC) was included next to the missile vowing “a crushing response should Israel dare commit further acts of violence”.
Hundreds of civilians were also seen on the streets of Iran singing, dancing and burning flags of Israel.
Many held up signs supporting the IRGC’s blitz and agreeing with those calling for the downfall of Israel and Western nations like the US.
It came just after Joe Biden‘s US – a close ally of Israel – reacted to the Iranian attack by firing a dozen of its own interceptors at the ballistic missiles.
The US and Iran have been national rivals for decades with both countries seeing the other as a dangerous thorn in their side.
They have had no diplomatic relations since the Iranian takeover of the US embassy in 1979.
Washington has already said it would work with Israel to ensure Iran faced “severe consequences” for the missile attack.
It comes as…
In his first speech since the blitz, the Ayatollah blamed the West for causing chaos in the Middle East leading to the escalation.
At a meeting in Tehran, Khamenei said countries, believed to be heavily pointing at the US, were the reasons for the “clashes and anxieties” in the region.
He said: “If they leave from this region, these wars and clashes will disappear from this region completely.
“They are the source of war and instability and with the help of god, they will be gone.”
Despite remaining strong in his public declarations against Israel and its allies Khamenei is being kept in a “secure location”, according to Iranian officials.
A senior government source told Reuters he was initially moved to a secret hideout and placed under armed guard following the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Friday.
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It comes as Israeli troops continue on with their ground offensive into Lebanon targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah.
The first footage showing the invasion, dubbed Northern Arrows, has been released today showing Israeli troops inside Lebanon.
Despite Israel’s military strength, Hezbollah have claimed to have pushed back forces attempting to enter the town of Adaisseh early this morning.
Several Israeli troops are understood to have been killed after one of its commando units was ambushed close to a Hezbollah tunnel today, reports The Times.
The IDF said that regular infantry and armoured units were joining ground operations, but noted they would remain limited and localised in scope.
Israel could target oil production facilities inside Iran within days, Israeli officials told Axios.
Other possible targets would be the country’s air defence system as well as assassinations of senior figures.
But Tehran threatened Israel would suffer the “vast destruction” of its infrastructure if it attacks Iran.
Iran’s military also warned of “strong attacks” on military bases in the region if Israel’s allies intervene.
I was sitting eating a pizza – moments later I was running for my life
BY Nick Parker, Foreign Editor, in northern Israel
I’D just ordered a coffee in a roadside cafe on my way back from Israel’s northern war zone when the alert flashed up on my phone.
It read: “Iran is preparing an imminent ballistic missile attack against Israel. Please take cover as soon as possible.”
I was sitting in a pizza restaurant in a much-rocketed area north of the coastal port of Haifa when the warning pinged in my pocket.
Moments later I saw other diners picking up their phones as warnings reached them but was impressed by their stoicism as they carried on munching on their margaritas.
These were people who have endured daily rocket attacks from Hezbollah for nearly a year but even they began to shuffle in their seats as more warnings appeared on their mobile security apps.
This was clearly something much bigger than the daily Hezbollah barrage from the north.
And moments later we were jammed in the door as it was confirmed that more than a hundred Iranian ballistic missiles flying at 14 times the speed of sound were on their way.
This was confirmed to be only the first of several waves of attacks heading out way.
We ran across the road into a concrete shelter where English speakers told me to expect to be stuck there for some time as I tapped out my story using the glow of my laptop screen.
Then moments later the first booms split the air high above as Iron Dome interceptors engaged the incoming rockets.
I – probably very foolishly – took a sneak peek into the sky outside and watched trails of red rockets racing up to meet the missiles in a spectacular but potentially deadly firework display.
But scary spectaculars like this have become a way of life for the people of northern Israel – who clearly trust the boffins whose rocket wizardry had saved their lives yet again.
It remained unclear whether Iran’s terror masters had inflicted death or destruction as they attempted to decimate their hated enemy.
And this may be just the first of many terrifying tests for the people of Israel, their enemies and the millions caught in the crossfire as the threat of a catastrophic war looms.
The Middle East now appears on the brink of all-out war after the Iranian ballistic attack as raging Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu warned the terrorist state had made a “big mistake”.
He said: “There is also a deliberate and murderous hand behind this attack – it comes from Tehran.
“We will stand by the rule we established: whoever attacks us – we will attack him.”
Israel Defence Forces’ Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari branded the multiple strikes “a severe and dangerous escalation” and warned: “There will be consequences.”
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned Iran’s strike, reiterated his support for Israel, and once again called for a ceasefire.
The Sun understands that British Typhoon fighter jets were scrambled from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus as Iran unleashed its attack.
Last night, Defence Secretary John Healey said: “British forces have this evening played their part in attempts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.
“I want to thank all British personnel involved in the operation for their courage and professionalism.”
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