Iran has launched hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles into Israel.

It comes after Iran warned that Israel would be “punished” for a strike on its consulate in Syria on April 1st.

Seven Revolutionary Guards, including two generals, were killed in the Damascus attack, which Israel has not officially acknowledged.

Al Jazeera says Iran has invoked Article 51 of the UN Charter, which grants countries the right to self defence if they come under attack.

The action however has been condemned by United Nations chief António Guterres, who called for an immediate cessation of hostilities saying “Neither the region nor the world can afford another war.”

Meanwhile in Washington, US President Joe Biden convened a principals meeting of the National Security Council to discuss the attack.

Biden again stated that his commitment to Israel’s security is “ironclad” – Associated Press says this is a change from the harsh criticism voiced in recent weeks over Israel’s war in Gaza.

U.S. forces have reportedly shot down some Iran–launched attack drones flying toward Israel.

The UK also says that RAF jets in the region will “intercept any airborne attacks within range” of its existing missions.

In a statement, the Israeli Defence Force says while most of the missiles were intercepted, “a small number of hits were identified, including at an IDF base in southern Israel, where minor damage was caused to infrastructure.”

This story has been updated.