An IAF fighter jets departs from an undisclosed location moments before an Israeli strike in Lebanon. AFP

Israeli media cited Israel's military as saying on Tuesday that the air force will continue conducting "powerful strikes" tonight throughout the Middle East, hours after Iran launched a salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel.

The Israeli military said that it will choose when to "prove our precise and surprising attack capabilities" following the attack, adding that Israel had proven its ability "to prevent the enemy from achieving anything."

The United States warned Iran that it would face severe consequences for its ballistic missile attack on Israel on Tuesday, saying the barrage marked a significant escalation but appeared to have been thwarted.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said US military forces in the region helped Israel defeat the attack and that the Biden administration was now consulting with Israel on a response.

"This is a significant escalation by Iran, a significant event," Sullivan told reporters at the White House.

"We have made clear that there will be consequences, severe consequences, for this attack, and we will work with Israel to make that the case."

Sullivan did not specify what those consequences might be, but he stopped short of urging restraint by Israel as the US did in April when Iran carried out a drone and missile attack on Israel.

Sullivan said President Joe Biden's administration was still monitoring the situation and collecting information.

Agencies