Iran has launched ballistic missiles towards Israel, the IDF has warned.

Alerts have been sent to mobile phone users in Israel warning that missile launches have been detected and sirens have sounded across the country.

“A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel”, it said in a statement.

“Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat.”

It added in another statement on social media that the Israeli Air Force was “operating to intercept and strike threats where necessary to remove the threat”.

People have been advised to head to shelters.

Iranian state television has also announced a retaliation against Israel.