In Israel, air raid sirens sent residents into shelters as
waves of missiles streaked across the sky. At least three people were killed
overnight. An Israeli official said Iran had fired around 200 ballistic
missiles in four waves.
Israel says its operation could last weeks, and urged Iran's
people to rise against their Islamic clerical rulers, fears have grown of a
regional conflagration dragging in outside powers.
"If Khamenei continues to fire missiles at the Israeli
home front, Tehran will burn," Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said.
Tehran warned Israel's allies that their regional military
bases would come under fire too if they help shoot down Iranian missiles.
Gulf Arab states that have long mistrusted Iran but fear
coming under attack in any wider conflict have urged calm as worries about
disruption to the Gulf region's crucial oil exports boosted oil prices by about
7% on Friday.
Iranian general and parliament member Esmail Kosari said the
country was seriously reviewing whether to close the Strait of Hormuz, the
outlet for oil shipped from the Gulf.
With Iran's air defences heavily damaged, Israeli Air Force
chief Tomer Bar said "the road to Iran has been paved".
In preparation for possible further escalation, reservists
were being deployed across Israel.
Army Radio reported units had been positioned along the
Lebanese and Jordanian borders.
