Iran launched explosive drones and fired missiles at Israel late on Saturday - its first direct attack on Israeli territory in a retaliatory strike that raises the threat of wider regional conflict.

Jordan, which lies between Iran and Israel, had readied air defences to intercept any drones or missiles that violated its territory, two regional security sources said.

“Some shrapnel fell in multiple places during that time without causing any significant damage or any injuries to citizens,” the Jordan cabinet statement added.

U.S. and British warplanes were involved in shooting down some of the Israel-bound drones over the Iraq-Syria border area, Israel’s Channel 12 reported.

U.S. military shot down Iranian drone aircraft headed toward Israel on Saturday, three U.S. officials said, without disclosing how many drones were shot down or the precise locations.