This is CNN breaking news.

We're following major breaking news right now.

Israel vowing to retaliate after Iran launches a major strike firing about 200 ballistic missiles at Israel. A strike

Iran insists was only a quote portion of their power. Good evening. I'm

Wolf Blitzer along with Casey Hunt. Welcome to our viewers here in the United States and around the world.

This is a special edition of the Situation Room.

It is a sharp escalation between the two sides, one that could tip the region further into an all-out war,

air raid sirens sounding across Israel as flashes of light lit up the sky.

Israel's air defense system successfully knocking down most of Iran's missiles,

but there were some hits.

This is one crater in Central Israel.

The massive strike coming a day after Israeli forces launched a rare ground operation into

southern Lebanon, a mission aimed at taking out the Iranian-backed militia, Hezbollah.

And tonight, Iran is threatening what it calls a crushing, quote, crushing response if Israel

carries through with its promise its promise to strike back.

Our Jim Shuto is joining us live from Tel Aviv right now, Kaye Toshi is over at the White House

with tonight's response from the White House and it is dramatic.

I want to go first to Jim who's live in Tel Aviv.

That's where you were when Iran started launching its attack, Jim.

What's the situation on the ground right now?

A few hours ago when you were seeing the skies over

Tel Aviv being lit up?

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