the iranian retaliatory action comes after israel's strike on its consulate in syria two weeks ago. killed some of its most senior revolutionary guards operating in the region. and live from london, i'm maryam moshiri. president biden reaffirms the us's "ironclad" commitment to israel's security, as more britishjets are sent to the region. israel, jordan and iraq reopen their airspaces after closing it late on saturday. and this is the scene live in tel aviv — it was the first time iran had ever launched a direct military assault on israel.

welcome to jerusalem welcome tojerusalem as a new chapter is being written in the turbulent history of the middle east. after decades of shadow wars and covert operations, iran and israel, long—time archenemies, are now in direct confrontation. in the early hours of the morning here, iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles over israeli territory. israel, backed by its allies, said almost all of the projectiles were shot down. it says the attack was foiled. this morning israel is still on high alert and the israeli army says it is weighing its response. let's look at this video of the events throughout the night in jerusalem and across israel. sirens.

what you can hear is the air raid sirens injerusalem. what you can see is israel's air defence system, the iron dome, in operation. flashes in thejerusalem sky as drones and missiles are shot down. a coalition of israel's allies, including the us and uk, helped shoot down some iranian drones and missiles before they reached israeli territory. this is footage of that happening overjordan. this video is from the skies over damascus in syria. you can see objects being hit in the sky. and a reminder ofjust how regional this crisis is. in a row as well. ——

in iraq as well. more drones and missiles being intercepted as they travelled towards israel. these are momentous times. let's recap. at 10am injerusalem and many countries across the region, what we know so far. there were significant explosions in the sky over israel, caused by interceptions from the iron dome. israel says it shot down 99% of the drones and missiles fired from iran.

us presidentjoe biden has spoken with prime minister benjamin netanyahu, and condemned the attacks by iran. he says the us shot down some iranian drones that were headed towards israel. uk coalition forces were also involved in defensive operations. mr biden says he will host a meeting of g7 leaders later to co—ordinate a "united diplomatic response" to the attack — israel's defence forces say one girl has been injured so far and that light damage was caused to a military base, we do not have details of which base. this morning after these unprecedented overnight attacks, the first time around is directly

attacking israel from iranian territory, the war of words is continuing with iran warning israel and the us that any response by israel would be met with an even harsher response. iran's proxies also were in action last night, they fired rockets at israel. here's daniel hagari, an idf spokesperson, giving an update a little earlier. we will bring you that in a minute. let's bring in my colleague in london. let's take a look now at some of the major international reaction. president biden rushed to the situation room in washington to keep across the developments. the white house published a photo from the situation room on x. you can see the president

surrounded by some of his top security officials. defense secretary lloyd austin, secretary of state antony blinken, among others. and president biden has spoken over the phone with israeli pm benjamin netanyahu — to say he condemns the attacks in the strongest possible terms. in a statement president biden said... the uk prime minister rishi sunak was also quick to release a statement overnight.

that is from the prime minister rishi sunak. the united nations secretary—general antonio guterres released a statement saying...

lyse doucet joins us lyse doucetjoins us live from jerusalem. talk to us about what we know about what happened overnight and the reaction since. lyse: many are looking closely at what kind of retaliation iran has carried out. there was so much discussion in the run—up to the iranians strike which was telegraphed by the united states with joe was telegraphed by the united states withjoe biden days ago saying that an attack was imminent and then saying it would happen sooner rather than later. then there was the unnamed military sources in the us

speaking about the kind of attack that did unfold in the early hours of the morning. 300 projectiles including drones and missiles including drones and missiles including ballistic missiles. iran has classed this as a limited, carefully calibrated strike causing limited damage but in israel and amongst its allies they are looking at this strike and even though the us and uk are urging restraint, israel says it is now looking at its options. let's look in more detail and join our security correspondent frank gardner. give us a bit more detail about what kind of weaponry iran deployed in this first retaliatory strike against israeli territory. retaliatory strike against israeli territo . ., territory. so, according to the israeli military _ territory. so, according to the israeli military the _ territory. so, according to the israeli military the idf - territory. so, according to the israeli military the idf iran i israeli military the idf iran launched 170 drones which were all intercepted and around 120 missiles,

mostly ballistic missiles. iran has invested heavily, despite years of sanctions on it, it's managed to build up a significant force of ballistic missiles. israeli intelligence will know exactly where these were launched from so i would expect that israel's response when it comes will almost certainly be starting at hitting those bases from which missiles were launched. israel didn't intercept all of these on its own. some were intercepted over jordanian air space, some i think over syria and iraq because some of the projectiles took circuitous routes. its 1500 kilometres between iran and israel. the way i would depict this is i think we are on the middle rung of an escalator e ladder. so, there has been a

simmering conflict between iran and israel ever since the islamic revolution in 1979 but the big events that have heated this up and pushed things to the state they are in now is the october seven attack by iran back to hamas one israel, then the gaza war of course but specifically israel's attack on april the 1st although israel didn't claim response ability, everyone knows it was israel that hit the iranian consulate in damascus killing senior commanders. that was considered by iran to be a major escalation because it was diplomatic territory. they've been mulling over the calibrated response. the problem is we are in a tit—for—tat situation and the israeli response i fear will

escalate things further. the number of prejectiles _ escalate things further. the number of projectiles used _ escalate things further. the number of projectiles used by _ escalate things further. the number of projectiles used by iran _ escalate things further. the number of projectiles used by iran marks - escalate things further. the number of projectiles used by iran marks a l of projectiles used by iran marks a significant escalation but is it also fair to say that some of this was symbolic? here injerusalem, we knew the drones had been launched but it took two hours for them to reach the israeli skies. if they reach the israeli skies. if they reach them at all. iran would have known, they may have planned that the impact on the ground would be limited. is that part of how they would see this carefully calibrated response? i would see this carefully calibrated resonse? ~ ., , response? i think that is the crucial word, _ response? i think that is the crucialword, calibrated. - response? i think that is the l crucialword, calibrated. there response? i think that is the - crucialword, calibrated. there is crucial word, calibrated. there is more iran could have done, it didn't aim, it seems it was aiming at primarily military targets. 0ne aim, it seems it was aiming at primarily military targets. one of the casualties is a seven—year—old bedouin girl in the south of israel. it was certainly aiming at the

negative in the south of israel. yes, there is more that it could do. don't forget that the iranians revolutionary guards corps has a thing called the quds force who do black 0ps and iran in the past have struck at israeli targets outside the region. so, this isn't over. iran has said that's it, the account is settled for now. that's not the way israel looks at it, so israel will retaliate and then iran has threatened a response to that retaliation. so, we are on this middle rung of an escalator re—ladder. middle rung of an escalator re-ladder-_ middle rung of an escalator re-ladder. �* , ., , ., . re-ladder. beyond this tit-for-tat we are seeing _ re-ladder. beyond this tit-for-tat we are seeing unfolding, - re-ladder. beyond this tit-for-tat we are seeing unfolding, there i re-ladder. beyond this tit-for-tat we are seeing unfolding, there is| we are seeing unfolding, there is the broader issue of deterrence,

that iran wants to send a clear signal, israel wants to send a clear signal, israel wants to send a clear signal that they are able and willing to inflict significant cost so the other side shouldn't try to attack them again. unfortunately there is a lot _ attack them again. unfortunately there is a lot of _ attack them again. unfortunately there is a lot of pride _ attack them again. unfortunately there is a lot of pride on - attack them again. unfortunately there is a lot of pride on both - there is a lot of pride on both sides. israel with some justification feels very proud of its air defence system and let's not forget that in the background you've got the gaza conflict going on with over 33,000 people killed, mostly civilians. that galvanised much of the region into a huge sense of disapproval of israel. many of the countries in the region are no friends of iran, so you've got the monarchies, the gulf state monarchies, the gulf state monarchies are quite wary of iran. saudi arabia only ended its own simmering conflict with iran's

proxies in march last year. so, jordan for example has helped shoot down some of these missiles. jordan finds itself kind of caught in a difficult area. iraq, although iraq is seen by some as a bit of an iranian proxy these days, nevertheless iraqi will be deeply unhappy at this escalation. none of this is good for business, none of it's good for economies, foreign investment. so, the entire region will be holding its breath now, just hoping that israel's response if and when it comes to iran is going to be calibrated to the extent it doesn't take this further. what we mean by that? well, all six gulf arab states are host to us bases and at the moment the us is not involved other than shooting down the drones in the us has said we are not going to take part in an israeli response. but if

iran chose to attack the us bases, that would bring in the gulf states, there would be the risk to things like desalination plants on petrochemical processing. he would be looking at a huge middle east war which is exactly the escalation everyone feared ever since october the 7th. ., ~ ., , everyone feared ever since october the 7th. ., ~ .,, a, , everyone feared ever since october the7th. ., ~ a, ., ~ everyone feared ever since october the7th. ., ~ a, the 7th. frank, as always, thank you for bringing — the 7th. frank, as always, thank you for bringing in _ the 7th. frank, as always, thank you for bringing in your _ the 7th. frank, as always, thank you for bringing in your wisdom - the 7th. frank, as always, thank you for bringing in your wisdom and - for bringing in your wisdom and insight on the security and political fronts. insight on the security and politicalfronts. some countries, political fronts. some countries, most politicalfronts. some countries, most of all the uk and us and neighbouring jordan, a very close ally and very dependent on the us, has also been involved in intercepting the missiles and drones across its territory and heading in this case forjerusalem. joining me now from the ministry of defence in london

is our defence correspondent peter saull. there has been a strongly worded statement by rishi sunak, we understand royal air force jets were in the skies, can you confirm exactly what role they played in the operations last night intercept these projectiles fired from iran? it's not entirely clear, to be honest. what we are being told by the mod is that these are jets involved in what's called 0peration shader, the uk's count operation which has been going on for some years against the islamic state group in iraq and syria. they've been flying over the skies, if you think about the geography of the middle east, iraq and syria are between iran and israel so those missiles presumably would have flown through iraqi and syrian airspace. the british raf planes there have been given authorisation to take down those missiles. we don't know how many, if any they have actually taken down last night but a clear indication i guess from the mod that

the uk is prepared to get involved in this, the statement we've had from rishi sunak condemns in the strongest possible terms the attack from iran. it also talks about the need to stand shoulder to shoulder effectively with israel. we may get a bit more information out of the mod in the coming hours on what involvement britain has taken here but the mood certainly in westminster is one of unequivocal condemnation really of iranians actions here and the labour leader sir keir starmer has also put out a statement condemning the attacks and warning about the risk of escalation. there will no doubt continue to be conversations today, a g7 meeting called by president biden that rishi sunak will take part in, there's been cobra meetings called to discuss the potential this

might happen, they've been talking about it for some time and you imagine will get a more false update when parliament returns from its easter break tomorrow with the prime minister likely to address the house of commons. minister likely to address the house of common— of commons. yes, we heard grant sha -s of commons. yes, we heard grant shapps the — of commons. yes, we heard grant shapps the defence _ of commons. yes, we heard grant shapps the defence minister - of commons. yes, we heard grantl shapps the defence minister saying they were going to bolster their defences in the region. is it clear what shape that will take? more raf fi . hter 'ets, what shape that will take? more raf fighterjets, more _ what shape that will take? more raf fighterjets, more refuelling - fighter jets, more refuelling tankers fighterjets, more refuelling tankers as well to the region. that suggests they are braced potentially for further things that could happen here. we'll have to wait and see how israel responds the debate here in westminster recently has moved increasingly towards a much stronger rhetoric against what israel has been doing in gaza. there's been a debate raging about whether the uk should continue to send arms to israel, pressure on the government to publish legal advice it has received. this could change things

slightly. there will of course be some sympathy for what israel has injured overnight. if this does escalate then clearly this is going to be a huge political problem for all of israel's allies including the united kingdom. b5 all of israel's allies including the united kingdom.— all of israel's allies including the united kingdom. as you indicated, olitical united kingdom. as you indicated, political leaders _ united kingdom. as you indicated, political leaders will _ united kingdom. as you indicated, political leaders will be _ united kingdom. as you indicated, political leaders will be studying i political leaders will be studying the situation. we are hearing reports from what presidentjoe biden has said to prime minister netanyahu, don't go for a retaliation, this has settled it had drawn a line. aside from the statements condemning iran and rishi sunak called it a reckless attack, do we know about any quiet conversations urging israel not to escalate further?— conversations urging israel not to escalate further? well, we know that rishi sunak speaks _ escalate further? well, we know that rishi sunak speaks fairly _ escalate further? well, we know that rishi sunak speaks fairly regularly i rishi sunak speaks fairly regularly to benjamin netanyahu too. he may have a call with him later today. we haven't had confirmation that that's the case but there have been reports

of rishi sunak being quite robust and some of those conversations with his israeli counterpart. certainly the labour party have faced some difficulties i suppose in terms of internal divisions on the issue. many in the labour movement would like your stomach to be more false in his i suppose condemnation of what israel has been doing in its response to the october the october seven attacks, what it's done in gaza. there have been mass protests here in the uk from the pro—palestinian side, counter demonstrations from the pro—israeli side although much, much smaller. the conflict in the middle east has been raging for six months now and has had a profound impact on british politics, it's led to, it's had an influence on certain by—election results, for example the election of george galloway a couple of months ago in rochdale. if this does escalate and we end up in a much wider conflict in the middle east no

doubt it will continue to have a huge, huge impact on the political debate in the uk.— debate in the uk. thank you for 'oinin: us debate in the uk. thank you for joining us from _ debate in the uk. thank you for joining us from whitehall - debate in the uk. thank you for joining us from whitehall and i debate in the uk. thank you for| joining us from whitehall and we will continue to get updates throughout the day of course with these breaking news, this unprecedented development. it was always known that when the gaza war erupted after october the 7th, that this would be a war with wide—ranging repercussions and does the gaza war goes on, fires have been burning across this region and now the biggest conflagration of all with iran's first direct attack on israeli territory. the israeli war cabinet met through the night and this morning idf spokesperson daniel hagarigave this morning idf spokesperson daniel hagari gave us this update.

good morning. last night iran opened up good morning. last night iran opened up an attack against israel and sent over 300 various threats. they met our supremacy, over 300 various threats. they met oursupremacy, our over 300 various threats. they met our supremacy, our technological and military capabilities and together we were able to intercept 99% of those threats that were incoming, thwarting the attack outside our airspace. we are talking about, nil literally penetrate israel because we managed to intercept it without air defence system and of course with the help of our allies partners. all of those ballistic and cruise missiles, none of them managed two, 25 of them were

actually outside our airspace, were intercepted. 0ut actually outside our airspace, were intercepted. out of the 120 ballistic missiles only if you managed to penetrate our airspace and all the others were intercepted. those fell in our military camp but only caused slight damage. we are continuing with our activities. the airstrip in nevatim airbase was knocked more than slightly damaged. they failed with all their other attacks. 0urair they failed with all their other attacks. 0ur air planes are continuing to take off and land in that base and the f 35 have continued landing there in that base. in addition there were additional ones from a and yemen.

none of them penetrated israel's airspace. 0verthe none of them penetrated israel's airspace. over the last few hours there have been hundreds of rockets sent from lebanon to the north, none of them hit but we have hit throughout lebanon targets and others in retaliation and we will continue with our defence efforts. 0ver continue with our defence efforts. over the last six months we have been coordinating closely with our partners. we are talking about great britain, the united states and france and additional countries that acted during the night. this partnership has always been ironclad. tonight, this was manifest in an exemplary manner. we had very, very complex fights in the air tonight with the manoeuvring, with not only our air force but with all

the intelligence and other capabilities. we are talking about our air force capabilities, proved their military and technological supremacy in an exemplary fashion and will continue working together. a seven—year—old girl was wounded by shrapnel. as far as we know there are no other people who have been wounded. no other casualties. we are ready and prepared for any other developments and the directives of the home front remain steadfast and we had said that there should be no educational activities but if there should be any changes we will of course update you with transparency and responsibility immediately, just as we did during the night, we will continue. the outstanding behaviour

of everyone during the night was truly something that should be mentioned and we will continue demanding and requesting of all of you that you continue conducting yourselves and we will make sure the public will receive information the moment we can do so. we continued with the updates during the night and the chief of general staff, he approved the various plans and has updated the government. iran carried out a severe mistake tonight and we will do everything possible and everything that is necessary in order to defend the citizens of the state of israel, alongside the development tonight we will not forget for a moment the 133 hostages still being held in the gaza strip. we will continue doing our utmost, everything possible, to bring them home as quickly as possible. are there any questions, please? good

morning. it ran succeeded of putting israel into a state of anxiety and put them in the shelters. will israel react? i believe that we are a strong state and throughout this night we were in full control and full transparency with the public. the moment we gave the directives to the home front and all the reports afterwards, throughout the entire night we endeavoured to make sure that the citizens of israel understand what is going to happen, receive the right directives and the result is self—evident. iran launched over 300 threats, 99% of those were intercepted. that is a success. that is operational supremacy, technological supremacy. it is unprecedented. we are still in an event that is ongoing. we are

strongly protecting everything we have, we have aeroplanes in the air protecting and safeguarding us the whole time. we will continue doing possible in order to protect citizens of the state israel. we will continue looking at the nevatim airbase, which is continuing to function despite the attack and they have gone back to continue to safeguard everything that needs to be done. idf is at its full competence, last night, today and for what it will be expected in the future. thank you very much. have a good day. daniel hagari talking this morning about what has happened. we have also had updates in the last

few hours from iran. iran sent a message to the us via switzerland, thatis message to the us via switzerland, that is the embassy in iran which represents american interests, no diplomatic ties, between the united states and iran. the warning was that american bases would be targeted if washington backs any possible retaliation from israel. there has also been on the iranians news agency a warning from the islamic revolutionary guard. they are the special military unit set up after the 1979 revolution to safeguard, and therefore is is the clandestinely elite branch that operates in foreign countries, including across this region, and it said that tehran will retaliate against any israeli attacks on its interests, officials, or citizens.

24 interests, officials, or citizens. 2a hours ago, it was a wait and watch to see what iran would do, and now it is a wait and watch to see what israel will do. this is truly uncharted territory, notjust for israel and iran, uncharted territory, notjust for israeland iran, but uncharted territory, notjust for israel and iran, but the entire region. to get some perspective, let's cross to dubai. gregg carlstrom, is the middle east correspondent for the economist. welcome to bbc news. you followed for a very long time every twist and turn in the region. this is now a lurch. how would you describe this moment now, in the wake of iran 's attack? i moment now, in the wake of iran 's attack? ~ , ., ., . ., attack? ithink it is dramatic, and climactic in _ attack? ithink it is dramatic, and climactic in a _ attack? ithink it is dramatic, and climactic in a way. _ attack? ithink it is dramatic, and climactic in a way. it _ attack? ithink it is dramatic, and climactic in a way. it is _ attack? ithink it is dramatic, and climactic in a way. it is dramatic. climactic in a way. it is dramatic because this is the first time that the iranians have launched a direct attack from their own soil on israel. there has been a shadow war, of course, a proxy war between the

two it for decades, but to see the iranians do something that the israeli government didn't think they would do, many analysts didn't think they would do, and carry out a direct attack on israel, it is a dramatic and very striking moment. at the same time, anti—climactic because tactically you could say this attack was a flop. there were 300 plus missiles and drones fired and a good chunk were intercepted before they even reached israel and the rest were intercepted once they arrive. the iranians went for a big military response, rather than a small or symbolic response, but it was a big response that was largely militarily ineffective, and i think that puts him in a position where, if this was meant to have a deterrent effect on israel, it has done the opposite. many said that iran said it had to be seen to respond. there's been an escalating series of attacks by

israel during the six—month gaza war, notjust on its assets and arms supplies, places where iran operates like syria, but also targeted assassinations against senior commanders and revolutionary guards, as well as his brother officials. then came the abel the first attack was described —— destroyed its property in damascus which took out its most senior general. take us through the thinking behind why iran felt that this was the tipping point, it had to show that it could and would retaliate. i think a lot of that has to do with the location of the target, rather than the identity of the target. as you say, there have been these assassinations, particularly in syria, over the past six months, where the israelis have seen an opportunity to strike with what they thought was with relative impunity against the iranians. they did not want to hit so hard in lebanon

because they were worried about going too far into the country and provoking a big response from there, but they felt they had the freedom to manoeuvre in syria. they wiped out most of the top leadership of the revolutionary guard in syria in targeted assassinations over the past six months. the iranians have largely accepted that without a significant response. but this time, because it was a consulate building that was struck, because it was a building that effectively for international law is iran 's own soil, there was a lot of domestic pressure from hardliners in iran, but also from ordinary people in iran who wanted to see a response, who felt that this was a provocation to far again because of where the air strike happened, rather than who was targeted. air strike happened, rather than who was targeted-— was targeted. jordan took part in the efforts to _ was targeted. jordan took part in the efforts to bring _ was targeted. jordan took part in the efforts to bring down - was targeted. jordan took part in the efforts to bring down the - was targeted. jordan took part in i the efforts to bring down the drones and missiles. it has issued a statement saying it had to intercept the missiles because it wanted to

protect its own citizens. of course, jordan is closely aligned, very dependent on the united states. would it be fair to say that other countries across the region, including the gulf states, they want to condemn this attack but they don't want to be seen as being part and parcel of the western alliance against iran. looking east and looking west, looking after their own interest approach that we have seenin own interest approach that we have seen in the past year or so. i own interest approach that we have seen in the past year or so.- seen in the past year or so. i think that's fair to _ seen in the past year or so. i think that's fair to say. _ seen in the past year or so. i think that's fair to say. you _ seen in the past year or so. i think that's fair to say. you will - seen in the past year or so. i think that's fair to say. you will write i that's fair to say. you will write earlier when you pointed out that jordan is dependent on the united states and otherforeign jordan is dependent on the united states and other foreign donors, jordan is dependent on the united states and otherforeign donors, so they are going to put out this messaging that they did this in defence of their own airspace, but the fact they were also defending israel in the process, and they are doing that i think not out of any great love for the israeli government, thejordanians are government, the jordanians are furious government, thejordanians are furious with the israeli government right now, both because of israel 's contact in gaza and its broader refusal to even talk about diplomatic solutions after the war,

but the jordanians saw an opportunity here i doing this to win some points with their american backers and other western backers, who will appreciate the fact that they sent planes to shoot down these drones and act in the defence of israel. there is a similarfeeling across the region. you have the gulf states, many of whom have soured a bit on the idea of normalisation with israel over the past six months, watching what has happened in the region over the past six months. at the same time, they have long viewed the iranians as their main threat in the region, critically a country like saudi arabia, which has been at odds with iran since 1979. so they will publicly come out and condemn these strikes. they will not maybe blame or name iran, as the saudis did in a public statement, but under the surface there is a real concern about where this is going, about the possibility of this escalating into a regional war, and there is a desire to see the iranians we can, even though they are trying to

preserve their detente with the iranians at the same time. flit iranians at the same time. of course, the big question is how and where, and will, israel retaliate? joe biden seems to be making it clear that this draws a line under it. he does not want israel to retaliate. us forces won't participate if it retaliates. but there has been a six month long israel gaza war and sometimes israel has listened to the united states, and sometimes it hasn't. this is a critical moment in that relationship, is it not? it critical moment in that relationship, is it not? it is, and ou are relationship, is it not? it is, and you are right — relationship, is it not? it is, and you are right stop _ relationship, is it not? it is, and you are right stop over- relationship, is it not? it is, and you are right stop over the i relationship, is it not? it is, and you are right stop over the past| relationship, is it not? it is, and i you are right stop over the past six months no one takes these sorts of american statement that seriously in israel and the question is whether these public statements are being backed up with threats in public. whetherjoe biden and his administration are making it clear to the israelis that if they go ahead with a reprisal inside of iran then there will be consequences for

that. it is not enough to just issue public warnings against it. just about everyone, the americans, european countries, certainly arab states, do not want to see israel respond directly in a way that is going to risk even more escalation. there are other possibilities. israel could attack iranians target outside of iran, as it has done for the past six months, and that would show it was not deterred by these strikes overnight, but it would have less risk of further escalating the situation. they could also do nothing. they could not respond right now, go from the assumption that in some ways iran made a strategic error by attacking the way it did overnight, and israel could choose to wait to respond. but i don't think that's the way the israeli government or public is going to see it. there is going to be a demand for some sort of reprisal now and the question is, how much pressure will israel 's partners put on it to do that reprisal in a way they find acceptable? and what israel will decide. thank

you for your observations. we look forward to seeing your reflections in the economist and also hit on bbc news again. thank you forjoining us from dubai. let's get a perspective from london now. tobias ellwood, former middle east minister and former chair of the defence committee join us now. in which terms would you describe this moment in this region and beyond? this moment in this region and be ond? ~ , this moment in this region and be ond? ~ _ ., , this moment in this region and beond? , ., this moment in this region and be ond? _ .,y ., , beyond? well, by any measure of this was a brazen — beyond? well, by any measure of this was a brazen attack— beyond? well, by any measure of this was a brazen attack that _ beyond? well, by any measure of this was a brazen attack that harnessed i was a brazen attack that harnessed the latest tools of modern warfare. drones and missiles. we have seen this in ukraine but not on this level, a swarm attack in this measure. the scale would have caused colossal loss of life had it not been for israel 's dedicated iron dome air defence system. but it is

clear now that iran is hoping to draw a line, as you have been implying, with this attack in response to targeting the iranian consulate in damascus. but there is no doubt that this conflict in the middle east is escalating with no single power, no single individual in control of where this is heading. we have long witnessed this shadow war between iran and israel since the 1979 revolution, with both sides carefully avoiding direct engagement. so this attack by iran, rather than using its proxy is that it has developed since 1979, takes us into new and dangerous uncharted territory. a worrying precedent has now been set. with ramifications, of course, of this attack is significant because of this but also because britain and america scrambling its own forces to shoot down the ordnance that is in transit, clearly things are developing here. iran may hope that this is treated as a calibrated

response, if you like. they are satisfied for their own pride and their supporters, satisfied for their own pride and theirsupporters, but satisfied for their own pride and their supporters, but there will be huge domestic pressure in israel to retaliate. and that is what the back channels will be working at now between london, washington, dc and jerusalem, to see what will happen next. we have moved into a very dangerous place indeed.- dangerous place indeed. indeed, uncharted territory. _ dangerous place indeed. indeed, uncharted territory. iran - dangerous place indeed. indeed, uncharted territory. iran blamed| dangerous place indeed. indeed, i uncharted territory. iran blamed the un security council for failing to condemn what it describes as an attack on its sovereign territory. israel 's missiles struck its diplomatic compound in damascus and destroyed a consulate. the iranians said that any assassinated key commanders, so does iran have a point? i commanders, so does iran have a oint? ~' , ., commanders, so does iran have a oint? ~' y., , ., , commanders, so does iran have a

oint? ~ i. , ., , ., point? i think you summarised how olarised point? i think you summarised how polarised and _ point? i think you summarised how polarised and fragmented - point? i think you summarised how polarised and fragmented the i point? i think you summarised how polarised and fragmented the un l polarised and fragmented the un security council has been, as the custodians for international security. it is no longer able to bring powers together to discuss these matters and find solutions. i am afraid it looks like on count trajectory, it is heading towards the league of nations which again was unable to control where the world was going. we are on a dangerous trajectory, no doubt about it. there was the new authoritarian alliance that is developing. i'm sure that russia would have been briefed on iran 's attack on israel, and of course it is in the interest of russia to see these attacks take place because it distracts the western what is going on in ukraine. the west is increasingly being tested by a complicated world, no longer at peace, not completely at war, but certainly being tested. so what happens in the next few days will be absolutely critical for

middle east security. the united nations security council will meet today and i'm sure we will learn more about the response by the international community, but we should recognise that we are in a very dangerous place, and a wider regional war in the middle east is very, very likely indeed unless we see the us and britain leading on this. ., , .,, see the us and britain leading on this. ., ., see the us and britain leading on this. ., , .,, ., ., . ~ ., this. iran says it was attacked. now israel has been _ this. iran says it was attacked. now israel has been attacked. _ this. iran says it was attacked. now israel has been attacked. should i israel has been attacked. should this draw a line under it?- this draw a line under it? well, this draw a line under it? well, this is the problem. _ this draw a line under it? well, this is the problem. iran i this draw a line under it? well, i this is the problem. iran certainly wants to call it a day, if you like, in response to what has happened. as you say, this was iranians sovereign territory, as consulates are seen. but it also completes what is going on in gaza and israel, too. that conflict has not gone well. it has caused friction between not only israel and the us, but also the

western communities. sadly, i would see that we are going to lose sight of negotiations for improving humanitarian aid, making all the middle east challenges more complicated. and it is an election yearin complicated. and it is an election year in the us and britain, said domestic distractions, too. we do need to focus on the longer term solutions, but also ratchet up our ability to maintain international stability. i am pleased that britain and the us did not hesitate in scrambling itsjets and the us did not hesitate in scrambling its jets to and the us did not hesitate in scrambling itsjets to help and the us did not hesitate in scrambling its jets to help take out some of that salvo, those swarm drones and missiles that were held in across iraq and syria, to stand in across iraq and syria, to stand in alignment, in support of israel. that's despite our differences in the way things are unfolding in gaza. we have been focused on in iran and israel, but of course iran has an array of allies and proxies and

militias across this region, the axis of resistance. that includes some unpredictable players, including the houthis of yemen who have been attacking commercial vessels in the red sea shipping lanes, saying it would do so until the gaza war stop. they are said to have carried out some attacks last night. there's also the militias in iraq and syria, allied to iran, and of course the most powerful ally in the region, hezbollah ro. how are you seeing the risks of fire being brought into play now with this very dangerous obligation? you brought into play now with this very dangerous obligation?— dangerous obligation? you raise a multitude of— dangerous obligation? you raise a multitude of important _ dangerous obligation? you raise a multitude of important questionsl multitude of important questions there. how did we get to this place where iran was able to cultivate so many proxy influences across the middle east? you mentioned the houthis, hezbollah pro and hamas, for example, absolutely disrupting

security and governance across the whole of the region. we have not done enough to challenge iran 's proxy influences. there was an opportunity when donald trump sent in a drone strike, i think it was in iraq, that took out the leader of the force that was responsible for nurturing these relationships. we have not done enough in yemen, for example, to lean into that, to support good governance there. it has given the space for proxy governance to develop. and then the consequence of disrupting international shipping, and then shipping having to go around africa, having a knock—on impact onto the economies of international communities. it shows how we have become too risk averse over the last couple of decades, and we really need to rekindle the ability to lean in and not be spooked by the rhetoric, but stand up for what we need to do to defend the international rules —based order.

i'm afraid that all this was coming. it was all building up over a number of years, and hezbollah ro, it is the most powerful heavily armed non—state actor in the world yet to play a real part in what is going on in the middle east and we need to watch out for that as well. tobias ellwood, former middle east minister, thank you forjoining us from london. let's get another analysis of these current tensions. justin trump is the chief executive of the intelligence assessment and he gave this analysis of the current situation. it seems to have been somewhat a mixture. roughly 170 to 185 drones, an older design at this point,

but familiar to people who have seen these operate over ukraine, i am sure in the last couple of years, so familiar to anyone who has been tracking the situation. these are propeller powered, pretty slow and crude, and that made up the majority of what came in. after those, much lower flying drones that steadily made their way to israel, around 30 long—range cruise missiles, these are much more threatening, and the most threatening things of all, around 110 120 ballistic missiles launched at a range of 2,000 kilometres, the best things in iran's general arsenal and were deployed against israel. as you heard, of those, none of the drones made it at all to israeli territory, none of the cruise missiles made it to israeli territory — they were intercepted by israel and its allies including the us, uk and jordan. of the ballistic missiles, a small number got through and hit

the airbase in the south, as we heard that before. but very few really for the scale of the operation. at least one of those missiles was intercepted outside the earth's atmosphere, which is quite a technological feat from israel and its allies at this time. ultimately israel spent billions of dollars to be prepared for this scenario, had the help of its allies and very much neutralised what could have been a much more consequential attack. justin cramp on these unprecedented military manoeuvres between iran and israel. this is an entirely new chapter and injerusalem this chapter and in jerusalem this morning chapter and injerusalem this morning it is not clear yet how it will be written in the coming days, but we will continue to provide our special coverage from the region, and also from london with my

colleague, whojoins us now. thank you for that. we will be covering up throughout the day here on bbc news. let's leave the situation in the middle east for a moment because police in australia say the man who killed six people in a stabbing attack on a shopping centre in sydney on saturday was known to the authorities, and had mental health issues. the 40—year—old, who was shot dead by police, has been as joel cauchi stop his family contacted police after seeing footage of the attack on television. the prior minister was among those paying tribute to the victims. five women and one man were killed in the attack and 12 others were injured. among the fatalities was 38—year—old ashlee good who was attempting to save her nine—month—old baby harriet when she was killed. her family say the baby is doing well.

this is a country that is very much in shock, a country that is not used to a violent attack like we saw on saturday afternoon at the westfield here in bondijunction, and people are here trying to process what has been a difficult and brutal attack on many people at a busy, busy time. this was a saturday afternoon in a very busy part of sydney, not far from bondi beach. it is one of the biggest tourist attractions, and of course it is also the start of school holidays. while the police are giving out more information, as you mentioned the name of the attacker, and information about the victims. there are still 12 in hospital, some in critical condition. there are probably many more questions than answers currently that can be given out. i

was talking to one motherjust now, who said that she had been letting her 14—year—old had more leeway in recent months and go to the shopping centre with her friends, recent months and go to the shopping centre with herfriends, and i spoke to her daughter whojust centre with herfriends, and i spoke to her daughter who just burst into tears saying, this is no longer going to feel safe, doing something thatjust seemed like a normal activity. that's what people here are saying, that this is a safe community. they could have been any one of them. and that's something that has shocked many people here. of course, thoughts are with those of course, thoughts are with those who are still in hospital, those in a critical condition, and of course news of the little baby, the youngest victim, who has undergone surgery overnight, and the family haveissued surgery overnight, and the family have issued a statement talking about ashlee is an amazing partner, wife, daughter, motherand friend, she was an outstanding human being, and luckily the baby is doing well after the surgery that she had.

katie watson reporting there from sydney. in the last few minutes we have had a statement from the family of sydney attackerjoel cauchi. they have described his actions as horrific. they said that he suffered mental health issues since he was a teenager. in a statement released by queensland police the family said, "we are absolutely devastated by the traumatic events that occurred in sydney yesterday. 0ur traumatic events that occurred in sydney yesterday. our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims and those still undergoing treatment at this time. joel 's actions were truly horrific and we are still trying to comprehend what has happened. he has battled mental health issues since he was a teenager. we are in contact with both the new south wales police force and queensland police service, and have no issues with the police officer who shot our son because she was doing herjob to protect others. we hope she is coping all right." that statement is from the family of

the sydney attacker, joel cauchi, who described his actions as horrific. more on that story on our website. let's recap what we know so far about our top story today. israel has said that it and its allies have intercepted the vast majority of more than 300 drones and missiles launched by iran. these are live pictures now of tel aviv in israel. 0vernight, they said a small number of hits were taken on israeli territory, including at an idf base in southern israel, where one child, who we believe seven years old, was injured by shrapnel. meanwhile, the minister of defence in israel has the confrontation with iran is not over yet, and that is the key issue now moving forward, which is where this escalation is going to lead, and where potential de—escalation is going to come from. the unprecedented attack by iran is the

first time it has ever targeted israel directly from its own soil. of course, the attack by iran was in of course, the attack by iran was in retaliation for an israeli strike that killed and israeli military commander in damascus in syria earlier this month. as always, if you step away from the television do go to the bbc website where there is a really good life page, which has been updated by our correspondence. not only on the ground injerusalem, but also across the middle east. you are watching bbc news. back at the top of the hour. hello there. you might remember that friday had been the warmest day of the year. temperatures reached 21.5 celsius in greater london in both

northolt, and also at st james's park. that figure did not last very long. it was beaten on saturday with damages up to 21.8 celsius in essex. that now is the highest amateur recorded so far this year. a big drop in temperature is on the way across england and wales, and in some places those damages will be dropping by around seven celsius. you will notice the change as a cooler head that we have had across scotland and northern ireland works south was —— cooler air. a few showers will become confined to northern and western areas of scotland but otherwise the skies will clear and a cold start to sunday morning with temperatures down at around four celsius in a few places. there will be plenty of early morning sunshine. clear, blue sunny skies in many places, but coastal showers in western scotland. through the day, showers becoming extensive in scotland, northern ireland and a view into parts of western england and wales. some will be heavy with ale mixed in and temperatures will be coming down. 15

celsius in london, and actually smack bang on average for this time of the year. low pressure on monday it will move south and east across the uk. a day where we will see a band of heavy rain move south and east, followed by showers. a windy day with gusts up to a0 or 50 mph widely, 60 mph in places. those gusty winds will blow in frequent showers and some will have hailed mixed in. ifanything, showers and some will have hailed mixed in. if anything, attempt is below average. factor in the strength of the wind and it will feel a little on the chilly side. tuesday and wednesday, some showers or if few longer spells of rain from the north west. temperatures probably quite close to average really. tuesday is a showery day, sometimes some hail and the most frequent downpours will be in parts of scotland, northern ireland and the far north of england. temperatures 11—13 c. really, we keep those showery weather

conditions through wednesday and thursday. there is a trend to sing something a bit dry as we get towards friday and into the following weekend as well. goodbye for now.

future. thank you very much. have a good day. live from london. this is bbc news israel shoots down hundreds of missiles and drones as iran launches an unprecedented attack

the iranian retaliatory action comes after israel's strike on its consulate in syria two weeks ago president biden reaffirms the us's ironclad commitment to israel's security, as more britishjets are sent to the region. jordanjoins israel, us, uk and france, saying it intercepted some "flying objects" while they were passing over its airspace. and this is the scene live in tel aviv — it was the first time iran had ever launched a direct military assault on israel. hello, welcome to bbc news. israel has come under attack from more than 300 missiles and drones in the first direct strikes on its territory by iran. the israeli military says 99% of them were intercepted. iran said the attack

was in relatiation for an air strike