UN calls for emergency meeting after Iran launches missile attacks on Israel

The attack may trigger a major escalation and raise concerns of a war between the regional archenemies.

Israel's military said the drones were seen flying over the country from Iran and would take hours to reach their targets, media reports said.

Israeli Channel 12 said missiles Iran had launched would likely strike sooner but that some missiles and drones had been shot down over Syria or Jordan.

US President Joe Biden condemned the attack and promised "ironclad" support for Israel, after holding an urgent meeting with his top security officials over the spiraling crisis in the Middle East.

"I just met with my national security team for an update on Iran's attacks against Israel. Our commitment to Israel's security against threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad," Biden said on X.

Biden said in a statement that he would convene his fellow leaders of the G7 group of wealthy nations on Sunday to coordinate a "united diplomatic response" to Iran's "brazen" attack.

"Iran -- and its proxies operating out of Yemen, Syria and Iraq -- launched an unprecedented air attack against military facilities in Israel. I condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms," Biden said.

US forces have been shooting down drones launched by Iran towards Israel, a defence official said. "Our forces remain postured to provide additional defensive support and to protect US forces operating in the region," he said.

President Biden also spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the phone.

Netanyahu, meanwhile, has vowed to respond defensively and offensively, saying that Israel has been preparing for a direct attack by Iran for years.