Seven reporter Jacquelin Robson has detailed the tense moment she was forced into a bomb shelter as ballistic missiles struck Tel Aviv amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.

The Israeli military launched attacks on Friday with the aim of wiping out Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The two countries have been engaged in tit-for-tat airstrikes since.

Robson, who is reporting from the Israeli city for the network, told Sunrise viewers on Wednesday that sirens blared over the city.

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“We got a real taste of what it’s like for the people living here in Tel Aviv,” Robson said.

“It was just moments after we’d checked into our hotel that the sirens started sounding. It began with a text message on our phone, then we heard that loud, piercing alarm outside the hotel.

“It was then a procession of guests moved down towards the bunker. It’s two levels under the ground, built specifically for the threat of ballistic missiles.”

Inside the bunker, Robson explained how people passed the time.

“People were playing games on their phones, keeping updated on what was happening outside,” Robson said.

“We understand there were up to 30 Iranian missiles in that group of strikes. Many of them were intercepted.

“Just a few ... got through, one hitting a bus parking depot, and others hitting an empty field.

“There were also strikes in Iran as well.

“They say they’ve been able to eliminate 40 per cent of Iran’s ballistic missile launchers, which has been a damaging campaign.

“The US is now moving some of its military assets to the Middle East.

“There are two US destroyers in the area as well as aircraft refuelling tankers.

“The military posture is changing.”

Wave of attacks

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Tuesday that a “more powerful” new wave of missiles was recently launched towards Israel, the state news agency reported.

A senior Iranian army commander said a new wave of drones would hit Israel.

Three people were killed and four injured in Iran’s central city of Kashan in an Israeli attack, Iran’s Nournews reported on Tuesday.

Iranian media also reported explosions and heavy air defence fire in Tehran early on Tuesday, with smoke rising in the city’s east after an explosion of suspected Israeli projectiles.

Air defences were activated also in Natanz, home to key nuclear installations 320km away, the Asriran news website reported.

Israel’s military said on Tuesday that it killed Iran’s wartime chief of staff.

Israel also said it carried out extensive strikes on Iranian military targets including weapons storage sites and missile launchers.

Iranian officials have reported 224 deaths, mostly civilians, while Israel said 24 civilians had been killed.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said nearly 3000 Israelis had been evacuated due to damage from Iranian strikes.

Sources told Reuters that Tehran had asked Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia to urge US President Donald Trump to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to an immediate ceasefire. In return, Iran would show flexibility in nuclear negotiations, according to two Iranian and three regional sources.

“If President Trump is genuine about diplomacy and interested in stopping this war, next steps are consequential,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on X.

“Israel must halt its aggression and, absent a total cessation of military aggression against us, our responses will continue.”

Iran must not get a nuclear weapon

World leaders meeting at the Group of Seven summit called for a de-escalation of the worst conflict between the regional foes, saying Iran was a source of instability and must never have a nuclear weapon while affirming Israel’s right to defend itself.

Trump, who left the summit early due to the Middle East situation, said his departure had “nothing to do with” working on a deal between Israel and Iran after French President Emmanuel Macron said the US had initiated a ceasefire proposal.

“Wrong! He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a ceasefire. Much bigger than that,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform late on Monday.

Israel launched its air war with a surprise attack that has killed nearly the entire top echelon of Iran’s military commanders and its leading nuclear scientists. It says it now has control of Iranian airspace and intends to escalate the campaign within days.

Trump has consistently said the Israeli assault could end quickly if Iran agreed to US demands that it accept strict curbs on its nuclear program.

“Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!” Trump said on Monday.

- with AAP