Israel-Iran conflict live updates: Iran claims ‘our revenge has started’ but regime on ‘brink of ruin’

The death toll on both sides of the conflict is starting to rise as attacks continue on Saturday.

Welcome to our live coverage of events in the Middle East.

The region remains on edge after Israel’s surprise attack on targets throughout Iran yesterday.

Iran has retaliated with multiple missile strikes of its own, at least some of which broke through Israel’s Iron Dome defence system and exploded in the city Tel Aviv.

In Israel, two people have died with dozens injured, while in Iran, 78 people have been killed and a further 320 are injured.

Residents have been advised to stay in bomb shelters when instructed to by the authorities.

“Our revenge has just started, they will pay a high price for killing our commanders, scientists and people,” a senior Iranian official told Reuters.

“Nowhere in Israel will be safe,” they said.

“Our revenge will be painful.”

The United States has confirmed it is helping Israel by shooting down some Iranian missiles.

The Israeli Iron Dome defence system fires to intercept Iranian missiles over Tel Aviv. Picture: Leo Correa/AP

An explosion in the city as one missile reached the ground. Picture: Tomer Neuberg/AP

Iran is also claiming to have shot down an Israeli fighter jet and captured its pilot. Israel says that is untrue.

Defence Minister Israel Katz reacted to Iran’s retaliation by saying it had “crossed red lines by launching missiles towards Israeli civilian areas”.

“Tehran will pay a heavy price,” he said.

And Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a speech urging Iranian civilians to revolt against their nation’s regime, made a similar pledge.

“The regime doesn’t know what hit them. They don’t know what will hit them,” he said.

Read on for the latest updates.

Originally published as Israel-Iran conflict live updates: Iran claims ‘our revenge has started’ but regime on ‘brink of ruin’