Iran fired a pair of ballistic missile barrages at Israel early Wednesday, with the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declaring the beginning of the battle, further escalating tension in the region.

The first salvo began to trigger sirens across a large swath of Israel shortly after 12:40 a.m., and included some 15 projectiles, reported The Times of Israel.

The next barrage of approximately 10 rockets began around 40 minutes later and triggered alerts in central Israeli communities and a number of West Bank settlements, the newspaper reported.

The Israel Defense Forces had instructed people to take shelter ahead of the missile attack launched by Iran.

According to reports, no casualty was reported.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it launched hypersonic missiles against Israel.

Meanwhile, in his X post, Khamenei said: "We must act forcefully against the terrorist Zionist entity."

"We will not be lenient towards the Zionists," he said.

IDF strikes Tehran

Israel claimed it hit the Khojir missile production facility in Tehran.

Quoting Iranian media, YNetNews reported that Israeli jets struck the Imam Hossein University in eastern Tehran, an institution affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

US Embassy in Jerusalem to remain shut till Friday

The US Embassy in Jerusalem said it will remain shut till Friday amid the ongoing conflict.

"Given the security situation and in compliance with Israel Home Front Command guidance, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday, June 18) through Friday (June 20). This includes the Consular Sections in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. There will be no passport (emergency or regular) or Consular Report of Birth Abroad services," the statement issued by the US Embassy said.