🚨 Multiple explosions heard near Tehran's Mehrabad Airport, according to local media reports.

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🚨 The Chinese are 'great competitors' - Errol Musk

The Chinese and US economies enjoy a “symbiotic relationship,” and it’s a grave mistake for the US to try to antagonize the Chinese people, South African businessman and Elon Musk's father told Sputnik.

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🚨 The Iranian strikes hit the Kirya area of Tel Aviv, home to the government center and IDF headquarters.

📹 The Fox News correspondent called it an attack on "the Israel's version of the Pentagon."

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🚨 Explosions and air defense activity reported over the Iranian city of Isfahan, home to the country's largest nuclear research center.

Footage from social media shows the air defense system working against targets in the sky.

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🚨THROWBACK: 🇷🇺Putin reminds the US about issues with Mexico over California & Texas

"Have they forgotten?"

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🚨 Iran retaliates after Israel's attack: what's known so far

The fallout from Israel’s massive attack targeting Iran’s nuclear sites, cities, aid defenses and missile systems, military, scientific and political leaders continues to escalate, with Iran kicking off its Operation True Promise III retaliatory strikes Friday night.

Missile response

Iranian media says “hundreds” of ballistic missiles have been launched toward Israel, with the assault commencing shortly after Iran’s supreme leader, president, and the new head of the IRGC warned that Israel’s surprise attack would not go unpunished.

“Soon the gates of hell will open before this child-killing regime,” IRGC chief Mohammad Pakpour promised hours before the retaliatory attacks began. “The criminal and illegitimate Zionist regime will face a bitter and painful fate with enormous and destructive consequences,” he warned.

Footage appeared to show numerous Iranian missiles getting through Israel’s powerful air defense shield.

Israeli raids continue

Videos and photos posted throughout the second half of Friday showed that Israel’s overnight attacks continued through the day, targeting Tabriz, Tehran, and nuclear sites in daylight raids.

US beefing up Mideast presence

The US Navy ordered a pair of destroyers to head to the Middle East, with the deployment following President Trump’s threatening social media posts demanding that Iran give up its nuclear program.

Russian diplomacy

President Putin held phone calls with Pezeshkian and Netanyahu shortly before Iran’s retaliatory action began, condemning Israel over its attack, expressing condolences over lives lost, and emphasizing Russia’s commitment to resolving the crisis over Iran’s nuclear program peacefully.

Markets in turmoil

Crude prices surged by double digits in early trade Friday. Some market observers expressed fears that an escalation could lead to the closure of the Hormuz Strait, choking off global oil supplies and plunging Western economies into crisis.

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🚨 Iran will target ANY COUNTRY that defends Israel, senior Iranian official told CNN.

"Any country that attempts to defend the regime against Iran’s operations will, in turn, see its regional bases and positions become new targets," CNN reports the official as saying.

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🚨☢️ US actions have made nuclear talks POINTLESS, says Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

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