has been a soil. for years, this has been a shadow conflict, iran using its proxy militias and supporters in the region to launch deniable attacks against israel. that is now gone. this is iran saying no, we consider the attack, the air strike on iran's consulate in damascus almost two weeks ago, they are treating that as an attack on their soil. they are saying that's why they are retaliating. there are signals from the iranians that they want to pretend, suggest this is a limited strike, their mission at the united nations it says once the initial attack has been launched, then iran would see the matter is closed. i doubt israel will share that analysis, i doubt israel's allies will show that analysis but we are in uncharted waters here now. a war

that has been a covert war, that has beenin that has been a covert war, that has been in part a shadow war is now in over were, and what depends now, what matters now is how effective this iranian strike is, and that will then shape israel's response, at the moment we simply don't have the answer to both those questions but we should get some sense of the impact of this attack in coming hours, as and when drones and maybe missiles reach israel. british assets are being moved to the region, military assets alongside us ones, just talk to us about the role potentially for other militaries in this. is it in your understanding that they are there and preparedness for defensive operations or could this be something more depending on

what we see from iran? we don't know precisely — what we see from iran? we don't know precisely what _ what we see from iran? we don't know precisely what the - what we see from iran? we don't know precisely what the british i know precisely what the british are playing to move us and not being clear about that. we know the americans are directly involved and part of the defence of israel and their american aircraft in the sky as we expect they're trying to shoot dents on the slightly slower drones and things in the air defence systems in this anti—aircraft systems and those will be used for the faster and more modern ballistic missiles and we know that international assets will be used in those planes that fly around and gather information and intelligence and pass on to others, there will be in the skies today and tonight, i think it is possible that there will be used as may be part of that but also to backfill. if you think there are a lot of

airforces you think there are a lot of air forces that you think there are a lot of airforces that do you think there are a lot of air forces that do regular patrolling jobs and other tasks in this part of the world, a lot of those aircraft will be redeployed trying to destroy iranian missiles and drones. their tasks are to be carried out by somebody else and quite often you get in the circumstances, countries are backfilling for each other in carrying out other roles that previously other nations have done. and i might be something the british get involved with and supporting the refuelling of aircraft things like that. and speaking at length with regards to israel and its partners and allies i wonder what you think with iran, what kind of conversations it will be having internationally where it can work whether it's conversations with russia as well? i think iran will be reaching out to people tonight

and i'll be trying to explain to the rest the world what is happened and iran's foreign ministry in the few hours as been tweeting out various interactions that he's been having with his counterparts around the world and intriguingly, one of his utterances on social media on acts, he hands the united states was given a warning about this attack and very explicit about that, it is going to any details about that but that is what happened and to be questions on who knew what and when and what warnings are given but equally, there will be secondary to what actually happens and what gets through, if any and witness us get through and what targets they had and what impacts they have in there at that stage of the moment where diplomacy is taking second stage to the military required to have to

her that plays out.- military required to have to her that plays out. and royal air force _ her that plays out. and royal air force jets _ her that plays out. and royal air force jets are _ her that plays out. and royal air force jets are being - her that plays out. and royal air force jets are being used| air forcejets are being used in this talk about the significance of that. united states and _ significance of that. united states and united - significance of that. united| states and united kingdom significance of that. united - states and united kingdom are key allies of israel and i think it will only be natural for the british to put their military in a position to support israel and there may have been free differences between the united kingdom and united states in recent days about the nature of the way israel is war in gaza and the fact that civilians are dying in such numbers and the fact that it in such numbers and the fact thatitis in such numbers and the fact that it is not getting through and defending israel against some of the threat in iran and thatis some of the threat in iran and that is completely different issue a completely different question and western allies are entirely behind israel and the

threat from iran that has become overt and having previously been in some areas, covert. and it's been natural for some british forces will be involved in the wider part of this operation.— involved in the wider part of this operation. talking about the region — this operation. talking about the region and _ this operation. talking about the region and how - this operation. talking about the region and how tense - this operation. talking about | the region and how tense this must be right now with regards to jordan, must be right now with regards tojordan, iraq, saudi arabia and other players in the region. is incredible for them because they had to make incredible decisions do not know the answers to any of these questions stop billable which of these countries are up in the united states and israel to defend israel's airspace of the moment and how much is jordan doing that and how much would jordan make itself potentially a target for iran as well and other countries we don't know the date on that yet

but countries are having to make choices tonight in many countries have been trained to improve relations with iran in recent years and have been much warmer relations between saudi arabia and iran in recent years and we will see how that continues but the kaleidoscope has been shaken tonight and we simply do not know yet where that will end up but certainly for many countries tonight is a very perilous moment and not just because of the immediate threat of where these drones where they might end up but because what the nights events might mean for the region in terms of sparking a full—scale regional war because that is something that all sites have been saying ever since october the 7th. , , ,., , the 7th. this is something they wanted to _ the 7th. this is something they wanted to avoid _ the 7th. this is something they wanted to avoid and _ the 7th. this is something they wanted to avoid and there - the 7th. this is something they wanted to avoid and there is i the 7th. this is something they wanted to avoid and there is a | wanted to avoid and there is a greater risk of that happening tonight than there has ever been before. figs

tonight than there has ever been before.— tonight than there has ever been before. as the situation continues _ been before. as the situation continues to _ been before. as the situation continues to develop. - been before. as the situation continues to develop. we - been before. as the situation j continues to develop. we will leave it there for now but thank you so much for bringing us up to date. let's recap our breaking news at this hour. iran has launched an attack against israel. iran's revolutionary guard says it is targetting specific locations within israel with drones and missles. local israeli media are reporting the attack is expected to reach israel at any moment and that aerial sirens are sounding in several parts of the country. in fact, american military officials have said that the us has shot down iranian drones that were headed towards israel. jordan says its jets have shot down "dozens" of drones. this is a live look now at tel aviv, where is is now a few minutes past 2 in the morning. israeli forces have been put on high alert, with dozens of combat planes in the air. all israeli schools have been ordered to close. and this is the view right

now ofjerusalem. there are reports from witnesses on the ground there of explosions — israeli media report they are from aerial interceptions. earlier, in an address to the nation, the israeli prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, said defence systems were deployed and the armed forces were ready to respond in kind. he's advised israelis to listen to the directions of the military. there are reports from witnesses on the ground there of explosions — israeli media report they are from aerial interceptions. earlier, in an address to the nation, the israeli prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, said defence systems were deployed and the armed forces were ready to respond in kind.

he's advised israelis to listen to the directions of the military. tehran has said the attack is, quote, iran had been threatening to retaliate for a deadly israeli airstrike on an iranian diplomatic compound in syria two weeks ago. and this now is haifa, the city in israel's north. we've been getting reports that lebanon's iran—backed hezbollah says it has fired rockets at the israeli—annexed golan heights. we also know that lebanon and iraq have both closed their airspace. and in yemen, rebels have reportedly launch drones at israel in coordination with iran. earlier, we heard from daniel hagari, spokesperson for the israel defence forces. what is your assessment and it was about drones and now

confirmation of missiles as well and we were talking about whether this counterattack, this reprisal mightjust be through proxies and we know that it through proxies and we know thatitis through proxies and we know that it is iran proper in the revolutionary guard, what do you make of that? fit, revolutionary guard, what do you make of that?— revolutionary guard, what do you make of that? a new chapter in this war _ you make of that? a new chapter in this war and _ you make of that? a new chapter in this war and it _ you make of that? a new chapter in this war and it moves - you make of that? a new chapter in this war and it moves the - in this war and it moves the conflict from one between third—party and proxies to one directly between nation states and that is huge. his example with the united states and the international community as me wanting to avoid in the next two hours are going to be crucial and a lot is going to depend on whether the drones, this suicide drones the ballistic missiles or cruise missiles, whether they had targets and cause damage, we still do not know what the targets are but the iron dome are going to trade intercept and shoot down any of those missiles are drones and six

interceptions have been made in jordan and americans are helping and anything can happen at this point. if there is further damage and israel might feel that it needs to respond in some other way directly on iran, or uncounted seems to have hinted that its operations for the night have concluded but it's just put out these missiles and drones we do not know what speed they're travelling what time they're going to actually hit impact and what type of damage though because in this could yet turn into a larger regional war and pulling the proxies are talking about in a bigger way and anything can still happen. it is a tweet from the guard saying that this will be an isolated contained attack now

and it comes to responses what we've seen at diplomatic iranian diplomatic mission there in syria but the international watching that come up with a be satisfied with that?— come up with a be satisfied with that? you don't have to take iran _ with that? you don't have to take iran at _ with that? you don't have to take iran at its _ with that? you don't have to take iran at its word - with that? you don't have to take iran at its word but, - with that? you don't have to l take iran at its word but, they are saying that they have successfully sought revenge against what happened on april one and in some senses, for diplomatic watchers, this could be is signal that because it thinks it is done that one should not retaliate further and it's a message that this concludes matters for the night and israel should really step it up because what iran is actually doing is responding to what was, and fairness, is significant attack on iran and on april one and the consulate

that killed a top iranian soldier in brigadier general along with members of the irg see in the iran revolutionary guard and iran feud that attack israel escalation, a direct attack on its assets. in israel, for some time, it has been attacking targets in syria but that was partly to stop supply chains that were supplying his brother and this was an escalation and from iran and's point of view, the response today tonight and into tomorrow morning is in direct response to that and by trying to draw a line under that, the hope is this escalates further but a, we cannot trust them and be, we do not know whether the missiles that have been launched will cause damage and finally, we still don't know what the proxies are going to do. so, hezbollah who is the most armed of the region, with data up any of the fire is

being exchanged because of october seven on a daily basis, if any of that escalates, we still do not know how this is going to turn out? the dynamics of what we have seen on the first of the alleged israeli attack on the nation on the annex there in damascus and six syrian civilians were also killed in that attack and do you think that is something the sponsor appeared to see, is that something that israel was cognizant of when it went ahead allegedly without attack do you think some sort of miscalculation? iran has signalled for some time now that it would respond. you're right and that this was an alleged israeli attack and

quite convinced that it was an israeli attack and they will claim that they have intelligence to prove it. in terms of what their response could've been, it's fair to say not israel any of its allies would be expected to be this severe. and heading towards cruise missiles and ballistic missiles and battery attack with the range of different types of missiles and that is not what israel is expecting, they were expecting a response but not this, this is a direct state to state attack, not using proxies, not using third parties and iran as an array of proxies lined up against israel and have been exchanging fire with israel and i mentioned his

hezbollah and iran had a range of options with which to act ensures a direct route. that is a significant escalation and not when people were expecting but in the last few hours, the last day, i should say. air space in the region has been closed down and we know that president biden was called back from vacation to come back to the white house we know that the white house we know that the national security council has been huddling in trying to understand how they should react or respond in some sense, this been enough intelligence to know that something big was coming and how it was coming, we don't know. imilli coming and how it was coming, we don't know.— we don't know. will come back to ou we don't know. will come back to you and _ we don't know. will come back to you and listening _ we don't know. will come back to you and listening into - we don't know. will come back to you and listening into all. to you and listening into all this is a situation continues to develop tonight and our main newsroom there in london and sebastian, you might�*ve heard

them saying now, what we are seeing appears to be a state to state confrontation and tried to give us the aerial view to all of this and how significant is it that we are now seeing this directly between israel and iran? this directly between israel and hen?— this directly between israel andiran? ., ., ., and iran? you may have already discussed _ and iran? you may have already discussed this _ and iran? you may have already discussed this with _ and iran? you may have already discussed this with your - and iran? you may have already discussed this with your gas - discussed this with your gas but as you know interviewers know, there's been a shadow war between iran and israel for years being fought through proxies and carried out operations inside iran and assassinations and all of this has intensified since october the 7th which israel held iran to some of extent responsible for, accusing iran of if not 100% telling hamas to do it it ioo% telling hamas to do it it did or give the green light. iran suggested that was not the

case but we have seen with the proxies of iran, particularly on the northern border of israel, we seen intensification of a battle that is been going on for many years but nothing like what we have seen over the past few months and we have seen the houthis, nearly closed on the shipping lane they been putting pressure and that is an iranian proxy. when israel carried out the attack in damascus and killed senior iranian general and members of the guards and essentially a building that was within the vicinity of the embassy, they saw their sovereign territory and immediately it seemed like and immediately it seemed like an escalation and that we have seen has been promised ever since by iran and it will match that escalation and go further and that is what it's done and

this is iran directly now targeting israel and the question that arises from this is how measured and how it worked out is this response from iran and his ability into this and the fact that israel and its allies will be able to shoot down all of the drones and long hours between drones being launched and with this mean that very little damage hopefully no casualties will be caused and iran is already done this in the can essentially say that we have provided our response and this is an end to it and trying to phrase it. and if there is damage, if there are casualties, but take it much seriously and talking about a significant response and from what we have seen, the

israeli government at the moment, they are quite likely to see in this is a terrible card game being played and they will see iran's hand and play a higher hand and that is quite possible which case the escalation we're seeing can move beyond the realms of what is containable.— is containable. let's talk about that _ is containable. let's talk about that hand - is containable. let's talk about that hand and - is containable. let's talk about that hand and if. is containable. let's talk| about that hand and if we is containable. let's talk - about that hand and if we do, going to further tit—for—tat territory and what are iran's defence capabilities? defence capabilities— defence capabilities? defence capabilities are _ defence capabilities? defence capabilities are nowhere - defence capabilities? defence capabilities are nowhere near| capabilities are nowhere near as well—developed as israel. israel is the iron dome and air defence mechanisms and it is extraordinarily up—to—date air defence and it is a very well drilled and honed forces that iran doesn't have. and it has up—to—date missiles and news

defensively i think it's it's weakest. and to take action directly against iran on its territory and a tit—for—tat exchange, you are going to see more pain and more damage caused to iran then we would see tonight in israel and i would inevitably lead to another escalation from iran and iran militarily, and to some extent politically you could say, is weaker than israel. it is relatively isolated in the region in the country surrounded, the arab countries around it have been hostile one way or another for a long way. and iran was trying to rebuild bridges, particularly with its most important regional enemy, saudi arabia before october the 7th and now, we have not seen much develop since then but the hostility and the proxy wars that they been fighting in

yemen, i was off the boil and there was some movement and hope but i don't think you're going to see other countries of the can possibly ignore getting involved in this, i don't think will even see necessarily enough to run possible his closest allies, the syrian government will try to steer clear. and if they make a significant response, it's where iran will feel it is the strength or power to do a direct attack as it's doing tonight or whether it will look towards its proxies or hezbollah in particular instead of hezbollah can use their huge arsenal that it has cause real damage to israel in the north, which it is not done so far. but the problem with that is that hezbollah, although it depends on its existence on iran, it's also relatively independent and estimate the lebanon and the security of lebanon and the security of lebanon as its major concerns.

hezbollah notes that if you do something like that, lebanon will face dire consequences in it may well hold back. so iran may be running out of cards to play after tonight. find may be running out of cards to play after tonight.— play after tonight. and you 'ust play after tonight. and you just mentioned _ play after tonight. and you just mentioned that - play after tonight. and you just mentioned that this i play after tonight. and you - just mentioned that this comes off the back of her around a decade of questions with regards to iran in its place on the world and its relationships and diplomacy and the fact that i suppose in some ways, it has shown its hand and what it is capable of and what it is doing in one night, where it leave its place on the world stage? i the brody scene from the reaction we're getting from the us, the uk -- i think reaction we're getting from the us, the uk —— i think we're seeing from the us in the uk, that image of iran is the main danger within the region. with israel, benjamin netanyahu in

particular, has been saying for years and years and some of the time, crying in the wilderness about this where many other countries have felt that israel has been overplaying the danger that iran represents and i think you're going to see from tonight we are going to see countries in the western alliance really making a very big point about whatever danger they represent. and i think we'll be seeing this rather than a balance that is sure to some extent obviously has played a part in what he did almost two weeks ago in damascus was clearly an escalation and clearly was demanding a new response from iran i think the aim was to push iran out of its comfort zone and around the string above the proxies in this is where it is weaker and i think were going to see a much stronger rhetorical attitude and response towards the west

whether that becomes anything more practical, we will have to see. . ~' more practical, we will have to see. . ~ , ., more practical, we will have to see. ., ~ i. more practical, we will have to see. . ~ y more practical, we will have to see. ., , . ., see. thank you so very much for our see. thank you so very much for your analysis — see. thank you so very much for your analysis listening _ see. thank you so very much for your analysis listening to - see. thank you so very much for your analysis listening to all - your analysis listening to all of that pure this on bbc news for the breaking news coverage. live now to ravi agrawal, editor in chief of foreign policy a global affairs magazine and website, live in new york. talking about the particular juncture this is happening in the relationship between united states and at least with benjamin netanyahu who had appeared increasingly strained and present by the notes that there can be conditions on us aid with regards to how israel has been prosecuting in gaza. this to does concern fade into the rear window in light of what we have seen and what do you make of that? temporarily, they have _ you make of that? temporarily, they have to _ you make of that? temporarily, they have to because _ you make of that? temporarily, they have to because the - you make of that? temporarily, they have to because the white | they have to because the white house is going to be focused on preventing damage and making sure that its allies can

intercept as many of those missiles and those drones as possible and significant damage, especially with civilian damage we don't know how many of those are headed and as they do, that is going to be the first and primary focus and once the dust settles on that, i think america will look at this situation and first and foremost, try to draw a line under this and it seems like iran may have done so or at least it seems like he wants to draw a line under this and it has sought revenge on the alleged israeli attack on iranians on april one and with that it'sjob is iranians on april one and with that it's job is done. iranians on april one and with that it'sjob is done. if america is able to prevent casualties and convince israel

to not for the retaliate and having up the ante on april one and having now been the recipient of what is clearly a significant set of attacks and that will be america's first focus because post—october seven, we are well aware of six months into the conflict between hamas and israel and thatis between hamas and israel and that is not abated as such it is you're still going strong in gaza and america is still trying to push for a cease—fire and every now and then it has been pushing forward in the east with meetings and other intermediaries and that does not have to stop because of this but it certainly means tension will have to be diverted for at least a few days as it starts to prevent the worst. days as it starts to prevent the worst-— the worst. israeli prime minister _ the worst. israeli prime minister benjamin - the worst. israeli prime - minister benjamin netanyahu and we know he has been facing many

weekends a protest and they have increased with recent weeks with regards to bringing all the hostages home for example, now though, with regards to the situation with iran, does that change anything for his support? bud iran, does that change anything for his support?— for his support? and the here and now it — for his support? and the here and now it does, _ for his support? and the here and now it does, benjamin i and now it does, benjamin netanyahu's argument from october seven has been let me see you through this and i'm the best person to get you through this moment, this imperiled moment in this that israelis fear the very existence of this state and they have not lived in so much fearfor they have not lived in so much fear for many decades. in cell, he sees himself as the right person to lead them through this and he will see tonight the attack as an extension of sorts remains for them to be able to say look, you need me, you need sustainability taking

stability. and a half time and time again, that cannot last indefinitely and that is what we saw post—october seven, while there was a little against him, and the last month or so, the protest movement kicked off again and grew in size and strength and i could happen again. in benjamin netanyahu will surely know neta nyahu will surely know that. netanyahu will surely know that. but this has to be a pause of thoughts for him in the reprieve, if you will. star; the reprieve, if you will. stay with us as — the reprieve, if you will. stay with us as we _ the reprieve, if you will. stay with us as we pause - the reprieve, if you will. stay with us as we pause for i the reprieve, if you will. stay with us as we pause for a i with us as we pause for a second, we want to take a look at this video that we have coming in at the bbc and this is flashes which you can see in the jerusalem is flashes which you can see in thejerusalem sky, objects are being shot down and we can see that they're on the screen directly in that flash at the centre of your screen, you can see the sirens ringing in there as well. the situation in israel at our correspondent as well on the ground say that they have also heard loud

explosions as the air defence system intercepts objects which are headed for israel right now. can you think of a moment that feels quite so tense for the middle east?— feels quite so tense for the middle east? ., ., , , ., , middle east? not in many years, no. this really _ middle east? not in many years, no. this really feels _ middle east? not in many years, no. this really feels like - middle east? not in many years, no. this really feels like a i no. this really feels like a moment that could escalate really easily. any moments of reprieve feel very tenuous. there are so many players involved, any of whom who could miscalculate, any of whom who could do something that could escalate things that could lead

to a dangerous chain reaction in the region. partly because we are notjust talking about states here, although we are tonight in terms of iran and israel, but iran has a range of other players around israel and we often talk about them, there is hezbollah in lebanon, there's the houthi rebels, and there's the houthi rebels, and the islamic resistance in iraq. the each of these have the ability to raise the stakes, to attack, to escalate. and we don't know how they react in moments of crisis. i should point out that things haven't just been quiet over the past few months, since october seven, there have been nearly daily exchanges of fire between israeli forces and hezbollah. it's remarkable that that hasn't escalated beyond the point. this could of course be that hezbollah sees itself as having other interests, part of

its interests of course are in lebanon where its roots are. but for iran as well, hezbollah is its forward force of sorts, it doesn't want to use this in this particular conflict, but motivations can change. the stakes are so high and this feels like a very tenuous moment where trust between various players is extremely low, tensions are very high and the united states which in many ways has backstopped the region which is sort of being a formidable ally of israel is also seen its support for israel on shaky territory in part because it is looking at the devastation in gaza and beginning to question internally whether this unsha keable support internally whether this unshakeable support should unsha keable support should last. unshakeable support should last. it's facing a lot of opposition internally from dissent from within in the white house and the state

department but also in the electorate. but there's a range of political forces as well that just of political forces as well thatjust make this a very shaky, scary, dangerous moment. and let'sjust shaky, scary, dangerous moment. and let's just touch on the fact that what we've seen has been claimed by the revolutionary guard as opposed to hezbollah. there was a lot of questions being asked about whether we could see a response through proxies but instead we are seeing this through iran proper, through the revolutionary guard. what you make of that, do you think this is an effort by iran to sign post a message to its own population when we think what's been happening in iran in recent years, with the protest movement as well that we've seen with difficulties with the economy and so on? {line seen with difficulties with the economy and so on?- seen with difficulties with the economy and so on? one can only see it as such _ economy and so on? one can only see it as such that _ economy and so on? one can only see it as such that iran _ economy and so on? one can only see it as such that iran likely i see it as such that iran likely feels like it needed to respond in some way, it needed to be

seen to be responding, after all it lost one of its top soldiers in the attack in damascus, along with some other top members of the revolutionary guard corps, and this isn't the only such attack, this was another attack in december as well in which another senior iranian general was killed. internally it needs to appear as strong and it must have calculated that it needed to take a step, a step that was bigger than any it had taken so far, a step that was direct and that was calibrated at some level, you also have to have imagine that it would telegraph that it was respond, using the suicide drones that are travelling quite slowly, one should say, towards israel, it is creating an opportunity for israel to shoot them down for other allies to shoot them down, one hopes. and in some senses this could be the best case scenario could be that

this is some form of theatrical, theatrics on the part if you to seem to be responding but at the same time not escalating is too far. now that's the best case scenario. there could be other scenarios where iran hasn't been as clear—headed in its calculations, and this could easily escalate and get much worse. we don't know, that is the fog of war.— worse. we don't know, that is the fog of war. important point to make from _ the fog of war. important point to make from the _ the fog of war. important point to make from the editor i the fog of war. important point to make from the editor and i to make from the editor and chief foreign policy, always appreciate your analysis. thank you. joe biden has put this statement out on acts. it says ijust statement out on acts. it says i just met with statement out on acts. it says ijust met with my national security team for an update on iran's attacks against israel, our commitment to israel's security against iran and its proxies is ironclad. let'sjust

bring you know the latest that we know at this hour on that breaking news that we are following with life rolling coverage here on bbc news, that iran has launched an attack against israel. iran's revolutionary guards have confirmed that the attack was in part in response to that air strike that destroyed an iranian diplomatic compound in syria earlier this month, the united states and uk, they've been reporting that its air force jets have been active in the region and the united states has reported shooting down a number of drones in southern syria near the jordanian border. the uk has said that the british royal air force will intercept any airborne attacks within range. these pictures that you can just see on your screen right now, the scene, the night sky from jerusalem earlier. here is what we know about the situation in israel at this present moment with the air sirens sounding in multiple locations in israel. that's

also been confirmed by our correspondence across the region on the ground right now, explosions overjerusalem and here you can see those live images shortly after two o'clock in the morning, and we can also take a look at the picture of the early morning sky there in haifa in northern israel. let'sjust sky there in haifa in northern israel. let's just take a look if we can at tel aviv there as well on your screens. israeli media has said that they are from ariel interceptions and the us embassy injerusalem has also said that all us staff and theirfamilies and also said that all us staff and their families and israel must shelter in place until further notice, that is the latest that we note here on bbc news at this hour. in the meantime, we can now go live to retired

lieutenant general mark schwartz who served as united states security coordinator of the israel—palestinian authority. thank you for being with us. just moments ago we were talking about that tweet from president biden saying everybody in the cabinet is deployed to the situation room right now in washington. with your kind of experience, what kind of conversations will be happening in that room right now? , ., ., now? first and foremost, continuous _ now? first and foremost, continuous updates i now? first and foremost, continuous updates are l now? first and foremost, i continuous updates are coming from us central command from general carola and his staff to the office of secretary event is, the office of secretary event �*s, secretary austen, secretary alston and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff who is also a permanent member on the national security council will be providing the president near real time updates. also our intelligence community director burns and other members of the intelligence community will be providing the president updates

on what they are learning with respect to not only initial lunches but also other potential movements and disposition of iranian ballistic missiles, cruise missiles. so they are watching the entire situation very close. ~ ~' ., the entire situation very close. ~ ~ ., ., ., , close. we know that drones were launched, — close. we know that drones were launched. but — close. we know that drones were launched, but also _ close. we know that drones were launched, but also missiles i close. we know that drones were launched, but also missiles as i launched, but also missiles as well. the fact that iran did use that weaponry, what kind of military response do you think it could incurfrom israel, from israel's partners? i believe that if the cruise missiles, that's what i would assess were being engaged and interdicted over is really airspace, the drones launched approximately four hours from now at least that's when reports reached is really airspace, if those land and are

successful in causing a mass casualty event i think you can expect that israel will respond into the sovereign territory of iran, that open source reporting that has not happened yet but is many more hours ahead and we'll have to see how this continues to play out. we look at the — this continues to play out. we look at the situation and we think of the events of the last six months, the war there in gaza as well, now and then there have been questions about there have been questions about the possibility for regional contagion, but of course recent attention has been very much focused on the operations in gaza. do you think some of these concerns with regards to iran, other regional players had faded into the background somewhat? i had faded into the background somewhat?— somewhat? i think they were fated you _ somewhat? i think they were fated you know, _ somewhat? i think they were fated you know, just - somewhat? i think they were fated you know, just out i somewhat? i think they were fated you know, just out of i fated you know, just out of public consciousness, i don't think they faded within the is really political and military leadership, certainly, but

clearly the engagement that took place on the 1st of april in damascus that killed two general officers from the rog seat for us and assessed five others that was a clear escalation in the eyes of iran. in the eyes of israel, it was, you know, candidly a target of opportunity of which they knew that these individuals were involved and the advisory work and assisting in the proxy offensive against israel and they took the opportunity when they took the opportunity when they had very good intelligence that they were gathered there. so i do believe now that given the events that have happened since the 1st of april and the broader context of the war in gaza will continue but the present concern is addressing the escalation that was the catalyst being the 1st of april

engagement that took place in damascus. i engagement that took place in damascus-_ damascus. i want to get your assessment _ damascus. i want to get your assessment of _ damascus. i want to get your assessment of risks - damascus. i want to get your assessment of risks to i damascus. i want to get your| assessment of risks to civilian population, and the weaponry were seen, also with regards to us personnel, we know that they have been targeted in recent months. and your assessment, what does that risk look like now? �* . ., what does that risk look like now? �* ., ~ ., , what does that risk look like now? �* ., ~' ., , now? i'll take the last part first. now? i'll take the last part first- in — now? i'll take the last part first. in terms _ now? i'll take the last part first. in terms of— now? i'll take the last part first. in terms of risking i now? i'll take the last part| first. in terms of risking us personnel, the level of readiness and preparedness by us forces deployed across the middle east, namely in iraq and obviously injordan as well, also in syria, is at its highest moment. and that is what any commander, is confident that's what the commanding general, general carola has directed. with respect to the danger to innocent civilians, starting from the west bank were a lot

of these engagements, the israelis are going to try to engage as far out these drones and cruise missiles, so if any of them land, you obviously have to rip up the collateral material that calls if they're engaged in the year before the line, but if they do land they are mass casualty inducing munitions. the drone is similar to the cruise missiles, ballistic missiles hopefully will be fired but if they are fired you're talking thousands of kilograms of exclusive and that will cause significant casualties and if it lands in a significantly populated area. how far do you think us involvement could go when you think about american foreign policy in recent years, the trend has been for less involvement if you think for example afghanistan and so on,

you think that changes when it comes to what we are seeing, and the united states's steadfast relationship with israel. i steadfast relationship with israel. �* ,, .,~ ., steadfast relationship with israel. �* ,, ., ., israel. i can't speak to that other than _ israel. i can't speak to that other than what _ israel. i can't speak to that other than what our - israel. i can't speak to that i other than what our president has said which is our commitment to israel's security, i think even broadly to our other partners in the region is ironclad. so i believe that as of this current crisis continues that you will see the united states do all that it can within its capability to protect the sovereignty and the civilians within israeli territory and more broadly us personnel. fiend more broadly us personnel. and mark, regardless with what happens between israel and iran now, via the revolutionary guards, just talk to a sub about the possibility for involvement from other groups on the ground.—

on the ground. with respect to iranian proxies, _ on the ground. with respect to iranian proxies, if— on the ground. with respect to iranian proxies, if i _ on the ground. with respect to iranian proxies, if i was - iranian proxies, if i was planning a separation from the iranian standpoint, what you want to try to do is create the opportunity for as many of these drones to come into his really airspace as possible. the way you do that is you overwhelm the integrated air defence, so the iron door, it's been reported significantly since october seven, so the way you do that if you get lebanese hezbollah to optimally send multiple volleys of rockets into northern israel so that iron dome has to contend with both engagements of surface to surface missiles coming in from the north as well as what is coming in from the east. so that's very likely. lastly i would say with the houthis,

there is capability, of unmanned aerial lethal munitions that have come from yemen towards erisa really airspace —— is really airspace, taking them down i think that's another access in which iran could encourage or directly to also deploy weapons as these unmanned systems that have been launched from iran sovereign territory entered into is really airspace. i territory entered into is really airspace.- territory entered into is really airspace. territory entered into is reall airsace. ., ., ~ ., really airspace. i want to know what you _ really airspace. i want to know what you think _ really airspace. i want to know what you think about - really airspace. i want to know what you think about what i really airspace. i want to know what you think about what the | what you think about what the idf does not incur terms of the current operations with gaza. we know the netanyahu had said continuing that operation and rafah was necessary to com pletely rafah was necessary to completely rid the territory of hamas but of course it's got this other front to face as well. what kind of situation does that put the idf in? in

terms of strategic does that put the idf in? ii�*u terms of strategic attention, the attention is clearly on this threat that has materialise from iran and the last six hours, and certainly within the hour that the is really senior staff has been focused on this impending threat, howeverthe focused on this impending threat, however the us southern command are those in charge of the operations inside of the gaza strip, i'm confident those operations will continue. the forces and capabilities that are necessary to support continuing operations in gaza are genuinely separate from those forces that are arrayed, and capabilities that are arranged to protect israel against an arranged to protect israel againstan air arranged to protect israel against an air attack which is what's playing out this evening. what's playing out this evening-— what's playing out this evenina. ~' ., , ., evening. mark, i do 'ust want to read you t evening. mark, i do 'ust want to read you a _ evening. mark, i dojust want to read you a statement i evening. mark, i dojust want to read you a statement that| to read you a statement that we've just got, to read you a statement that we'vejust got, is to read you a statement that we've just got, is from the uk

�*s defence secretary grant shapps, this is what it says. it says i strongly condemned the senseless attack that is iran has launched on israel, it serves no benefit other than to further undermine regional security. we continue to work with israel and partners in the region to prevent further escalation, peace and stability are in everyone's interest and i urge iran to immediately end all forms of destabilising behaviour in response to the escalation in the region and in partnership with our allies the prime minister and i have authorised the deployment of additional royal air force assets. the rafjets and air refuelling tankers will bolster our existing operation shade or outcome of that is the uk's existing counter diagnosed operation in iraq and syria, in addition thesejets will addition these jets will intercept any airborne attacks intercept any airborne attacks in range of our existing missions as required. mark, just coming back to you on that point, the statement that we heard there from grant shapps,

what do you make of that? what you make of that historically, the united states in the uk on this kind of operation sent to work together?— work together? yes, and so while israel _ work together? yes, and so while israel is _ work together? yes, and so while israel is certainly i work together? yes, and so while israel is certainly our| while israel is certainly our strongest ally in the region, we have no stronger ally globally than that of the united kingdom. so i think the statement was exceptional and it also demonstrates that both the united states and united kingdom in partnership and support of israel preparing for a longer potential posture that's going to be required for... this may go on for days in terms of the sort that exists so i really commend the ministerfor his exists so i really commend the minister for his comments and exists so i really commend the ministerfor his comments and i think it's a great statement and a clear message to iran that israel and the united states from a jordan who we haven't really mentioned but

aren't in this alone. you've got an extremely capable and competent and resolute ally in the united kingdom supporting the united kingdom supporting the defence of israel in this ongoing crisis.— ongoing crisis. lieutenant general mark _ ongoing crisis. lieutenant general mark schwartz, l ongoing crisis. lieutenant i general mark schwartz, former us security coordinator between israel and palestinian authorities forjoining us here on bbc news. as we continue this live coverage. i dojust want to go back to talking about president biden. and what we've seen, he's now and in a situation room cutting short his trip there to delaware over the weekend. what do you expect in terms of his coordination now with the pentagon, with lloyd austin and so on, what kind of plans will they be discussing: the president has assembled within his national

security team all the experts, whether it has to do with military capabilities and secretary austin, or intelligence capabilities, and he's got i'm sure open lines with prime minister netanyahu, certainly with other leaders that are within the region that are providing not only updates in terms of assessment but also intelligence of this ongoing operation. 50 intelligence of this ongoing operation-— intelligence of this ongoing operation. so i suspect that if, based — operation. so i suspect that if, based on _ operation. so i suspect that if, based on advice - operation. so i suspect that if, based on advice coming | operation. so i suspect that i if, based on advice coming from the chairman and from secretary austin, the president is asking looking forward beyond what's happening in the here and now but in terms of continued us force posture and force disposition in coordination with our allies is this crisis plays out in the hours and to come. ~., ~' plays out in the hours and to come. ~ ., �* ., ., come. mark, i don't want to touch too —

come. mark, i don't want to touch too much _ come. mark, i don't want to touch too much on - come. mark, i don't want to touch too much on us i come. mark, i don't want to i touch too much on us domestic politics but of course all of this is coming in an election yearfor this is coming in an election year for pleasant this is coming in an election yearfor pleasant biden —— president biden, that will be difficult to?— difficult to? there are a number _ difficult to? there are a number of _ difficult to? there are a number of things i difficult to? there are a number of things any i difficult to? there are aj number of things any of difficult to? there are a i number of things any of our senior executive branch leaders have to manage and that is just really since october seven, one more secure strategic crisis but that's what you expect of leaders of any nation, regardless of party, that you have to be able to rely on the expertise that is around you, which i think president biden has done a very good job of that as other previous leaders within our government so yes, it certainly takes away from the path towards november and terms of focus but again, there's nothing more important other than the security of the united states, that the

security of our allies. so this is on par with what is expected of an executive leader. lieutenant general mark schwartz, former us security coordinator between israel and the palestinian authority, always good to get your thoughts mark, thank you for being with us.— thoughts mark, thank you for i being with us._ let's being with us. thank you. let's cross now _ being with us. thank you. let's cross now to — being with us. thank you. let's cross now to joe _ being with us. thank you. let's cross now to joe patino, i being with us. thank you. let's cross now to joe patino, thank| cross now tojoe patino, thank you forjoining us this evening. ijust want you forjoining us this evening. i just want to you forjoining us this evening. ijust want to begin ljy evening. ijust want to begin by getting your assessment on what we are seeing unfolding tonight. i what we are seeing unfolding tonitht. ., , ., what we are seeing unfolding tonitht. .,, ., �* tonight. i hope what we're sa int tonight. i hope what we're saying is _ tonight. i hope what we're saying is kind _ tonight. i hope what we're saying is kind of _ tonight. i hope what we're saying is kind of a - tonight. i hope what we're saying is kind of a single l saying is kind of a single chapter this, you know the drones and ballistic missiles and that's it. i think you know, iran i think is signalling that this is it for them. let's call it good, you know, you attacked our embassy inside of syria in damascus, we struck back, they had to

retaliate, and iran does not want this to widen, they do not want this to widen, they do not want israel to attack into iran, so you know, if you think about it, in terms of strategic terms, it's like a turn one was the israeli strike into damascus, there had to be a turn to, this is turn to. what's really going to matter is what is turned three. i believe i am dormant, our 03 are going to shoot down all these rockets and all these drones come i don't think anything is going to get through, so far nothing �*s gotten through. iran has already signalled that we are done, we're going to put a cap on this. so now it's up to israel what's going to be turned three.— israel what's going to be turned three. , turned three. exactly, joe, as our turned three. exactly, joe, as your outlining _ turned three. exactly, joe, as your outlining there, - turned three. exactly, joe, as your outlining there, it i turned three. exactly, joe, as your outlining there, it is i your outlining there, it is about who ends up having the last word in a shadow conflict which has now become and no

overt conflict. do you think israel would be satisfied to leave it at turn three? ida. israel would be satisfied to leave it at turn three? no, i think netanyahu _ leave it at turn three? no, i think netanyahu has - leave it at turn three? no, i think netanyahu has been l think netanyahu has been looking for a reason to engage directly with iran. and you know, look at this today and this evening from netanyahu's perspective. his entire character, his persona is that he is the protector, the one man who can protect israel. they live in this incredibly dangerous neighbourhood with hamas to the west, lebanese hezbollah to the north, iran is always a threat, now iran firing directly into israel. and so, you know, he is going to want to strike into iran to open up this work, make it a wider regional war, he's always wanted that. now it's a matter of can the us state department, can president biden, can we

dampen emotions here and can we talk that down?— talk that down? yet, and in our talk that down? yet, and in your experience _ talk that down? yet, and in your experience as - your experience as communications director of centcom, how can that be achieved? we are now seeing an overt war, can this be contained as a war of words, can you put the genie back in the bottle, can diplomacy prevail? it the bottle, can diplomacy revail? �* , prevail? it can, it can. it's reallyjust— prevail? it can, it can. it's really just a _ prevail? it can, it can. it's reallyjust a matter i prevail? it can, it can. it's really just a matter of i really just a matter of aligning reallyjust a matter of aligning some agreement with netanyahu in terms of look, he still needs funds and still needs a frivolous war with hamas. —— munitions with hamas. he still has that interpersonal

diplomacy, on the phone face—to—face. it hasn't worked with netanyahu senses were started with hamas but that's really what we have got to rely on here. is that relationship that they've built over decades is that relationship of trust. let's go back to that, then, you're talking about the relationship between president biden, between netanyahu which has been increasingly fraught of late. so in your assessment then do you think there's a possibility for president biden to go back to that threat that he made about conditioning military aid, for example, in terms of how that word is prosecuted in gaza, and then linking it to what we could see in terms of the reprisal on iran saying you still need us support, here is how washington would prefer this play out? i don't know if now is a good time for president biden to threaten netanyahu, after this

terror on the streets, tel aviv, there's rockets overhead in tel aviv. you know, obviously it would be terrifying, if you imagine there were rockets and drones where i am or where you are in dc. i think that there is potentially an off ramp here for everybody and that would be mentioned at turn one, turn to come at turn three. i don't exactly what that looks like but were we signal through qatar to but were we signal through qatarto iran, but were we signal through qatar to iran, that this is turn three, we're putting a cap on it, then we're good. some sort of turned three that doesn't strike inside of allows them in her ryan into surveys that we it good. i do just want to ask, in terms of

broader regional contagion, how much of a concern is that? it is an enormous concern right now because you could have the houthis who may want to demonstrate their value to iran right now and they may want to start their attacks back up in the red sea, lebanese hezbollah may want to take advantage, the real threat to israel here, a bigger threat always than hamas and these missiles from iran is lebanese hezbollah with thousands and thousands in iraq there on the border. this is all a tinderbox right now. that's what i mean, this turn three is really going to matter, it's going to matter in the coming days and it could matter for the coming decades. it could be something where there is courageous restraint on behalf of netanyahu and it