Iran launched dozens of missiles toward Israel on Tuesday in what it said was a response to the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and others – potentially taking the region closer to a wider conflict.

Iran confirmed that it has attacked Israel, with a statement coming shortly after it launched ballistic missiles that sent millions of Israelis to shelters during the barrage. If Israel retaliates “or commits further acts of malevolence,

Iran launched a massive attack on Israel on Tuesday as tensions soar and violence further grips the volatile Middle East. The Israel Defense Forces said on Telegram that "a short while ago, missiles were launched from Iran towards the State of Israel.

Iran said in a statement after it began its missile attack on Israel that it was a response to the killings of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. NBC News’ Keir Simmons reports that Iran said Israel would “face crushing attacks” if it responded.

Experts think it is unlikely Iran will escalate the conflict and that it will instead focus on rebuilding Hezbollah and keeping its network of proxies in action for as long as possible.

Iran launched at least 180 missiles into Israel on Tuesday, the latest in a series of escalating attacks in a yearslong conflict between Israel and Iran and its Arab allies that threatens to push the Middle East closer toward a regionwide war.

Iran fired dozens of missiles into Israel, a sharp escalation of the monthslong conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed militias Hezbollah and Hamas that threatened to become a wider regional