Jerusalem, Israel - Iran has launched missiles targeting Israel, the military said Tuesday, following US warnings that an Iranian attack was imminent.

"A short while ago, missiles were launched from Iran towards the State of Israel," the military said in a statement. It said sirens were sounded across Israel, including in Jerusalem.

The US embassy in Israel called on its staff and their family members to shelter in place amid the warnings.

"As a result of the current security situation, the US embassy has directed all US government employees and their family members to shelter in place until further notice," the embassy said in a statement.

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Air raid sirens have sounded, and AFP journalists have reported hearing explosions over Jerusalem.

Earlier on Tuesday, several people were killed in a shooting in Israel's commercial hub Tel Aviv, according to emergency responders, in what police said was a suspected "terror" attack.

"Four civilians were killed by gunfire from two terrorists. Additionally, there are seven injured individuals in varying degrees of severity according to medical sources. Both terrorists have been neutralized on site," police said in a statement.

Air traffic was halted at Israel's Ben Gurion airport, a spokesman said, as blasts rocked the country.

"There are currently no takeoffs and landings", said a spokesman for Israel's main international airport.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards have confirmed the missile attack was in response to the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah last week as well as that of the Hamas leader.

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"In response to the martyrdom of [Hamas leader] Ismail Haniyeh, Hassan Nasrallah, and [Guards commander] Nilforoshan, we targeted the heart of the occupied territories [Israel]," the Guards said in a statement reported by the Fars news agency.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards also threatened to carry out "crushing attacks" against regional Israel if it retaliated after a missile attack by the Islamic Republic.

"If the Zionist regime reacts to Iranian operations, it will face crushing attacks," the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in a statement carried by Iranian news agency Fars.

Israel vowed to retaliate following the Iranian missile attack, with an army spokesman saying it would respond at the time and place of its choosing.

"This attack will have consequences. We have plans, and we will operate at the place and time we decide," said Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari.

Meanwhile, American forces are ready to provide "additional defensive support" to Israel, a US defense official said Tuesday.

"Our forces remain postured to provide additional defensive support and to protect US forces operating in the region" after "defending against Iranian-launched missiles targeting Israel," the official said on condition of anonymity.