on its consulate in syria two weeks ago. the iran attack is ongoing, our plans are in the air. tonight, wide scale attack by iran is a major escalation. and these are live pictures from tel aviv — after what was the first time iran had ever launched a direct military assault on israel. hello, i'm geeta guru—murthy. iran has launched a major attack against israel — in what was an expected, but unprecedented response to a deadly israeli air strike that destroyed an iranian diplomatic compound in syria earlier this month. the idf says almost all

of them were shot down. the attack marks the first time iran had ever launched a direct military assault on israel. we will be live injerusalem shortly. but first, let's bring you up to speed. take a look at this video. 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 israels allies, including the us and uk has helped shoot down some iranian drones and misiles before they reached israeli territory. this is footage of that happening overjordan. similarly, this video is from the skies over damascus in syria. you can see objects being hit in the sky. and again, in the skies over iraq. more drones and missiles being intercepted as they travelled towards israel.

you can see the wide front of attack or being pushed back against by israel and its allies. so here's what we know so far. iran has attacked israel with around 200 drones and missiles. there were significant explosions in the sky over israel, caused by interceptions from the iron dome. 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. 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. the idf�*s spokesman says the 10—year—old girl who was injured by shrapnel from falling has warned israel and the us that any idf response would be met with further retaliation. —— the girl was injured by falling to breathe.

hezbollah in lebanon, and houthi fighters in yemen — both iranian proxy groups — have also fired rockets at israel. we will hear from our correspondent hugo bachega injerusalem tough few hours. it isjust tough few hours. it is “ust after seven i tough few hours. it is “ust after seven o'clock h tough few hours. it is “ust after seven o'clock in h tough few hours. it isjust after seven o'clock in the | after seven o'clock in the morning here, the country is waking up after a very busy and tense night. an unprecedented attack carried out by iran, the first time ever that iran has attacked israeli territory. the military said more than 200 drones and cruise and ballistic missiles were fired by iran but that most of those missiles and drawings were intercepted not only by the israeli but the americans. we heard the average load injerusalem at about two load in jerusalem at about two o'clock in the

load injerusalem at about two o'clock in the morning and loud explosions which was an indication of the country are defence systems being activated and intercepted. objects of the city and we heard from an israeli military spokesman earlier today saying that a number of missiles did penetrate the territory of the state of israel, but given the scale and magnitude of this attack it does seem that the impact was very limited. a base had minor damage according to the spokesman and a child was hurt but i think we should get a better action of the impact of this unprecedented attack later today. again, this was something that iran or days said they were going to do in

retaliation for the attack that happened two weeks ago in syria. the attack on the iran dip maddick compound in damascus that killed several military advisers —— diplomatic compound. they want the attack was going to come so an unprecedented attack. figs was going to come so an unprecedented attack. as people wake u - , unprecedented attack. as people wake up. i'm _ unprecedented attack. as people wake up, i'm sure _ unprecedented attack. as people wake up, i'm sure people - wake up, i'm sure people haven't necessarily had a huge amount of sleep. what is the sense, what is it like to be there for that attack. we have not seen before.— not seen before. exactly, last niuht not seen before. exactly, last ni . ht we not seen before. exactly, last night we had _ not seen before. exactly, last night we had some _ not seen before. exactly, last| night we had some indications of an attack being imminent because measures had been announced by the israeli authorities such as cancelling school activities for the next few days. also limiting outdoor gatherings and then we had

information that the airspace would be closed overnight, the airport would be closed as well. also information coming out of neighbouring countries such asjordan and lebanon that something was about to happen. for days, the americans have been warning that the attack was a matter of when and not if and we had some incredible detail about what the americans thought that the iranians were planning on doing, there was an official talking about more than 100 drones and missiles that would be fired by the iranian law or at a timeline for the attacks. it was not surprised but the magnitude and scale of the attack was unprecedented.- scale of the attack was unprecedented. scale of the attack was unrecedented. ., ~ , ., , unprecedented. thank you very much. 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 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 statement from rishi sunak. the united nations secretary—general antonio gutterres released a statement saying: the un security council

will be holding an emergency meeting later on sunday at the request of israel. let's speak to benjamin radd, a senior fellow at the burkle center for international relations at ucla. thank you forjoining us. the question obviously is whether this gnomon is going to escalate or whether tensions can be calmed and whether israel can be persuaded not to retaliate in a matter that will make things even worse. in the conversation — make things even worse. in the conversation joe _ make things even worse. in the conversation joe biden - make things even worse. in the conversation joe biden had - make things even worse. in the j conversation joe biden had with conversationjoe biden had with benjamin netanyahu he pushed him to accept the outcome of the last 12 hours as a win for israel, meaning that iran largely failed to succeed to materially impact israel's security in any way, very minimal casualties limited to that one incident you

mentioned. if that's the fact it's difficult to see how it is successful for iran and the motivation to retaliate is not there. i believe that this will help stay the situation from inflaming any further but that could change if iran continues to launch further attacks in the next few hours. we are obviously _ the next few hours. we are obviously seeing _ the next few hours. we are obviously seeing different i obviously seeing different lines coming out and the general call for calm, one report setting itjoe biden is not wanting to have israel move against iran any further. is it possible to read the signals at the moment out of the white housein the moment out of the white house in terms of their position on what they are doing? position on what they are doinu ? ~ , ,., , position on what they are doinu? ~ , ~' doing? absolutely, i think benjamin _ doing? absolutely, i think benjamin netanyahu - doing? absolutely, i think- benjamin netanyahu understands benjamin neta nyahu understands if benjamin netanyahu understands if israel chooses detectors further and respond to iran directly by attacking installations, facilities even if they are not civilian. they

do that without the backing of the nine steps in that objective.— the nine steps in that objective. the nine steps in that ob'ective. , ., ., objective. do you thinkjoe biden blackbean _ objective. do you thinkjoe biden blackbean as - objective. do you thinkjoe biden blackbean as clear. objective. do you thinkjoe j biden blackbean as clear is that? �* , ,., , biden blackbean as clear is that? ~ y a, a, that? absolutely, and all accounts _ that? absolutely, and all accounts indicate - that? absolutely, and all accounts indicate he - that? absolutely, and all. accounts indicate he made it clear that his position and benjamin netanyahu understood benjamin neta nyahu understood and benjamin netanyahu understood and his conversation between the american secretary of defence and the israeli events minister indicated the understanding was made clear to the israelis by the defence ministers. i5 the israelis by the defence ministers-— the israelis by the defence ministers. , . ., ., ministers. is it clear what the israeli position _ ministers. is it clear what the israeli position is? _ ministers. is it clear what the israeli position is? at - ministers. is it clear what the israeli position is? at this - israeli position is? at this moment _ israeli position is? at this moment no, _ israeli position is? at this moment no, not - israeli position is? at this moment no, not a - israeli position is? at this moment no, not a surly l israeli position is? at this l moment no, not a surly but israeli position is? at this - moment no, not a surly but for the moment what israel can enjoy is it has received a lot of international support that had been waning and drifting away from its favour in the last few weeks as criticism of its conduct of the war was mounting. israel is enjoying a military victory in a sense it managed to deflect and prevent any serious injuries or casualties from taking place and also diplomatic support not only from regional allies and

allies like you know sense but we see across europe and the arab world. we see across europe and the arab world-— arab world. there is a lot of focus on _ arab world. there is a lot of focus on hezbollah - arab world. there is a lot of focus on hezbollah and - arab world. there is a lot of focus on hezbollah and we i arab world. there is a lot of - focus on hezbollah and we have seen the proxies acting as well overnight. what is your reading as to that situation, could that still flare up?- that still flare up? those roxies that still flare up? those proxies have _ that still flare up? those proxies have been - that still flare up? those - proxies have been conducting their operations going back to november. some of them even before then, hezbollah has been active on the northern frontier for quite a while, the united state has been successful in using its carrier groups and assets in the region to intercept those attacks coming not just from intercept those attacks coming notjust from iran but also from lebanon, yemen, syria and iraq. i don't see it going any further yet. it iraq. i don't see it going any further yet-— further yet. it is unprecedented | further yet. it is i unprecedented to further yet. it is - unprecedented to have a further yet. it is _ unprecedented to have a direct strike from iran into israel. there is bound to be some political pressure on benjamin netanyahu to respond in kind.

that's whatjoe biden specifically addressed when he told the prime minister, he said look, israel managed to come out of this relatively unscathed. iran fell to convert any of its objectives, it created more support for israel internationally that it had before today and it also emboldened other arab allies to see iran as a critical threat in the region and one that could escalate tensions rather than calm them down. it's difficult to see how this is not a win for israel and that would motivate angevin and yahoo to not escalate the situation —— benjamin netanyahu. situation -- ben'amin netanyahuh situation -- ben'amin netanyahu. situation -- ben'amin netan ahu. ~ ,, ., netanyahu. will the us go as far as saying _ netanyahu. will the us go as far as saying that _ netanyahu. will the us go as far as saying that if _ netanyahu. will the us go as far as saying that if he - netanyahu. will the us go as far as saying that if he does i far as saying that if he does not follow that particular track that the us is going to properly withdraw support from israel because they have not done that until now? the senate minority leader _ done that until now? the senate minority leader in _ done that until now? the senate minority leader in the _ done that until now? the senate minority leader in the united - minority leader in the united states has now called on congress to convene and pass a

aid package budget that would provide increased military funding and assistance to israel. it's difficult to see how something like that would pass with houses of the us congress if benjamin netanyahu openly defied what the president was asking to do and excluded further. if he wants to rely on continued us assistance in the form of additional or supplement to aid packages that he would be wise to heed whatjoe biden is telling him. to heed what joe biden is telling him.— to heed what joe biden is telling him. getting lots of information _ telling him. getting lots of i information and wires coming in, one report saying that the israeli defence minister repelled the first major wave of aerial attacks with the confrontation not yet being over. would you expect any israeli action within the next few hours or do you think you will be further in future and whether they will be what pressure to pause before they take any further action? in the next few hours, we cannot expect israeli responses

in lebanon, syria and maybe even yemen. it is unlikely given the president biden indicated and given the ability for them to achieve it for israel to have any counter attack into iran proper. in a video statement _ attack into iran proper. in a video statement according to reuters it said israel has propelled the first wave of launches but the confrontation is not yet over. what does that suggest? it is not yet over. what does that su: est? , , , is not yet over. what does that su~est? , , , ., suggest? it suggests that even thou . h suggest? it suggests that even though iran's — suggest? it suggests that even though iran's mission - suggest? it suggests that even though iran's mission to - suggest? it suggests that even though iran's mission to the i though iran's mission to the united nations indicated that its operation is by and large done, there is no statement or indication from proxy groups that they are not going to continue to escalate the situation further. israel still finds itself in a defensive posture as it waits to see what would happen next with these other groups acting separate to iran. �* ,., ,., other groups acting separate to iran. �* ., iran. also reporting that netanyahu _ iran. also reporting that netanyahu said - iran. also reporting that netanyahu said "we - iran. also reporting that - netanyahu said "we intercepted,

propelled together and we will win." how receptive have other countries in the region being in trying to de—escalate and putting pressures on israel? iran finds itself isolated diplomatically. we know the jordanian government assisted by shooting down drones flying through its airspace. there is indication that certain arab states, unnamed, have supported the process here and the operation to prevent these drones and missiles from reaching their targeted destinations. at this moment, iran finds itself isolated regionally from its arab neighbours and potential allies. so, it is difficult to see iran having any better position and anything that it would gain by continuing to escalate any further. find would gain by continuing to escalate any further. and 'ust finall - escalate any further. and 'ust finally - obviously, * escalate any further. and 'ust finally - obviously, iffi escalate any further. and 'ust finally - obviously, if the h escalate any further. and just finally - obviously, if the us i finally — obviously, if the us and uk, and as he said, other nations, have militarily supported the defence of israel

here, that very, very clearly and tangibly puts all those countries in the frame here — clearly, practically involved and that politically dangerous thing for the us, doesn't it? well, yes and no. what can one expect to happen? if he had the united states, united kingdom and other regional allies participating in what is not so much the defence of israel but preventing iran from escalating it further. iran really has no dog in this fight, if you will. it is understood that iran was retaliating as a result of israel's strikes in damascus last week that killed a high ranking iranian in military official meeting with the palestinian jihad and for iran to risk bringing in other regional powers into the conflict serves it's not at all, especially given that iran's defences are weaker than israel. ., ., iran's defences are weaker than israel. ., ~' , ., iran's defences are weaker than israel. . ~ , ., ., ., israel. thank you for “oining us. we israel. thank you for “oining we very * israel. thank you for “oining us. we very much h israel. thank you forjoining i

us. we very much appreciated. from international relations at ucla. i will do show you daniel hagari from the idf who is doing a further live statement at the moment. yes, he is. once he goes into english we will come back to daniel hagari their life, speaking with the latest update in tel aviv. let's speak to our correspondent will vernon who's in washington dc. just to pick up on the conversation i was having — the key thing is what will be the response. mil key thing is what will be the response-— key thing is what will be the resonse. ~ , ., , , response. all focused, all eyes now - what _ response. all focused, all eyes now - what happens _ response. all focused, all eyes now - what happens next. in i response. all focused, all eyes now - what happens next. in a | now — what happens next. in a statement released a short time ago,joe statement released a short time ago, joe biden, the president, said he would convene g7 leaders who co—ordinate what he called a united, diplomatic response. in another statement we received from us defence

secretary lloyd austin, he called on iran to de—escalate tensions. but this was an unprecedented, large—scale attack on america's most important ally in the middle east, directly onto its territory, by iran. so, the israelis will almost certainly be looking to retaliate, and i think pressure will now grow on the biden administration over what exactly to do about that. whether the israelis should be reined in somehow, the level of support that the us should offer the israelis in that situation. of course, we still do not have the full picture of the extent of this iranian assault — the damage and the casualties certainly for now look minimal. it is also not clear the extent of the weapons, the kind of weapons, that were used — whether ballistic or cruise missiles were involved or whether it was just drones. so, lots of

questions. but i think whatever the conclusion is, america, israel, otherallies, the conclusion is, america, israel, other allies, they will be urged to proceed with caution to ensure they do not get somehow dragged into an escalatory tit—for—tat conflict with iran that could trigger a wider regional war. we had a little bit earlierfrom wider regional war. we had a little bit earlier from the iranian and revolutionary guard after the attack began, warning the us not to support israel in any retaliation, saying that would elicit a fierce response from iran's armed forces. find from iran's armed forces. and reuters reporting _ from iran's armed forces. and reuters reporting - _ from iran's armed forces. and reuters reporting — possibly from the daniel hagari briefing — that there were more than 200 projectiles fired over and 99% were intercepted. mr netanyahu will be coming under pressure obviously from all sides, as you say. there is one report being reported by the axios

newsagency, saying that mr biden told mr netanyahu that the us will oppose any israeli counter attacks against iran. that is exciting a senior white house official. i am presuming thatis house official. i am presuming that is not confirmed by any other source as yet but is that likely to be the white house position? likely to be the white house osition? ., ., , ., position? no, that is not confirmed. _ position? no, that is not confirmed. that - position? no, that is not confirmed. that is i position? no, that is not confirmed. that is one . position? no, that is not i confirmed. that is one source, so at that stage, that is speculation. as i say, president biden in his statement so far is just talking about the diplomatic response. there is no indication there of the extent of support to the us might offer to iran. but as we saw in the statement, america is ready to support israel. there have been many statements over the last few days from mr biden, from other us officials, saying that american support for

israeli security is ironclad. mr biden use that word again tonight in his statement. it has not been a bad result for mr biden. he said that no us forces orfacilities mr biden. he said that no us forces or facilities were hit in the iranian and assault today, and that is a good thing because it means that america is less likely to be somehow forced into any sort of direct military confrontation with iran. of course, that was the number—1 nightmare scenario for many officials here in washington leading up to this attack. and this is one of the reasons why there were repeated warnings from the white house, from other us officials in the last few days, urging ukraine, urging — sorry, iran — to call off or perhaps water down their plans for attacking israel, precisely because they wanted it to act as a deterrent. they

wanted to de—escalate tensions and ensure that this did not somehow snowball into something that was then out of their control. �* that was then out of their control-— that was then out of their control. �* ., , ., , , ., , control. and obviously, it was signposted — control. and obviously, it was signposted that _ control. and obviously, it was signposted that some - control. and obviously, it was signposted that some sort i control. and obviously, it was signposted that some sort of| signposted that some sort of running an action was potentially likely to happen. we saw various high—profile military meetings in the region. we still do not have the full details, do we, in terms of exactly what the us involvement was?— terms of exactly what the us involvement was? no, we do not. we heard — involvement was? no, we do not. we heard in _ involvement was? no, we do not. we heard in the _ involvement was? no, we do not. we heard in the statement i involvement was? no, we do not. we heard in the statement from i we heard in the statement from president biden following his phone call with the israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu tonight that israel aircraft and missile defence helped against this assault. he said that the israelis shot down almost all the missiles and drones launched at it, so we know there was significant involvement from the us military in the effort to repel those missiles and strains. other allies, of course, were involved as well, but we do not

know the exact details of it, the numbers, the statistics, but we do know that the us was heavily involved in that operation. i heavily involved in that operation.— heavily involved in that operation. heavily involved in that oeration. , ., ., operation. i 'ust wanted to let ou operation. i 'ust wanted to let you know _ operation. i just wanted to let you know the _ operation. i just wanted to let you know the daniel- operation. i just wanted to let you know the daniel hagari i you know the daniel hagari briefing hasjust you know the daniel hagari briefing has just ended. reuters are reporting a number of lines of that but it was done entirely in hebrew which is why we did not go back to that. we will bring you the lines that are being reported in the next few minutes. iam now i am now joined iam nowjoined by i am nowjoined by a reporter from bbc arabic. thank you for joining us. can you give us a sense of the reaction in the region. sense of the reaction in the reuion. , , ., region. sorry i mixed up uk and iran. region. sorry i mixed up uk and ham the _ region. sorry i mixed up uk and iran. the saudia _ region. sorry i mixed up uk and iran. the saudia arabia - region. sorry i mixed up uk and iran. the saudia arabia foreign | iran. the saudia arabia foreign ministry expressed _ iran. the saudia arabia foreign ministry expressed deep i iran. the saudia arabia foreign i ministry expressed deep concern about— ministry expressed deep concern about what is happening and called — about what is happening and called for restraint because the region cannot afford

another war and damage and dangers— another war and damage and dangers on people and the region _ dangers on people and the region. the egyptian foreign minister— region. the egyptian foreign minister also issued a statement, saying it is important for the parties to be restrained to be intentions because _ restrained to be intentions because it is not good for anyone _ because it is not good for anyone. so, both countries are doing _ anyone. so, both countries are doing that _ anyone. so, both countries are doing that. on the other side, there — doing that. on the other side, there is— doing that. on the other side, there is a _ doing that. on the other side, there is a celebration in iran, celebration in lebanon. more or less, _ celebration in lebanon. more or less, reaction so far. in addition _ less, reaction so far. in addition to the closing of airspaces all over the region which — airspaces all over the region which is _ airspaces all over the region which is affecting our travel, passengers and the economy — many— passengers and the economy — many things. so, it is concerning for countries, for people — concerning for countries, for people and there is call for restraint, not to escalate anymore. restraint, not to escalate anymore-— restraint, not to escalate an more. �* . . restraint, not to escalate an more. ~ . . ., anymore. and much influence do those neighbouring _ anymore. and much influence do those neighbouring governments have on both sides to pressure them to de—escalate? the

have on both sides to pressure them to de-escalate? the other countries have _ them to de-escalate? the other countries have a _ them to de-escalate? the other countries have a strong - countries have a strong relation, or more or less a resuming relation between saudia arabia and iran. saudi arabia can play a role in convincing iran not to escalate more, but even iran itself, according to the iranian mission, the mission is done and so so far i think that is the end for the iranian strikes. it is now on the side of israel. they respond now? there are talks about mr biden saying not to counter—attack because you want to choose a diplomatic track in order to show to the world that they need to support israel, so it might work in favour of israel not to retaliate because if they retaliate they will be more escalation, but if israel will not retaliate and follow according to their policy and

biden's advice, there will be security council meetings and so the response is to show in the media that iran is a threat. we need to contain iran, support israel and threat. we need to contain iran, support israeland iran has the right to defend itself. israel, for the sake of israel, israel, for the sake of israel, i think it should follow the advice of mr biden and i think this would be for the sake of peace and stability in the region not for any counter attack from israel, especially that the damage from the missiles was not much. it is like damage in one of the military bases, only one injury, so the damage is not much so even if iran tries to maximise a victory and attack, the damage was not there because the israeli air defences managed to destroy most of them before they reach israel. so, it is more or less a one—on—one case. axios

retaliated and at the same time israel was not damaged. —— iran retaliated. if it does not escalate, i think it would be good for the region and both sides will be fine. obviously, very tense — sides will be fine. obviously, very tense few _ sides will be fine. obviously, very tense few hours. - sides will be fine. obviously, very tense few hours. i i sides will be fine. obviously, very tense few hours. i think| very tense few hours. i think we do have some pictures from tehran of some celebrations that took place after this extra stock by men, those are the pictures there that we have had in from tehran. just how significant is it that iran has struck israel on its own territory for the first time? it is a kind of propaganda thing. it tries to win people with economic problems and for sanctions on iran because of the programmes in iran so iran tries to win and maximise the wind but at the same time it is an unprecedented strike so it did not happen before. from

iran's soil to attack israel, it is the first time to happen so it might work as a deterrence. not for israel to do what they have done in syria two weeks ago. so, it might be deterrence that will help the tension between the two countries because iran showed its ability to reach israel from its and is not afraid to do that. so, it shows it has the guts to defy america, at the guts to defy america, at the they tried to show their strength, because israel tested their result after they killed and revolutionary the iranians are trying to show that they are trying to show that they are strong but damage was not much. . so, should they accept that and let it go in order to

win at a diplomatic change and break the taboo. you cannot attack so, that and media level, it is ok, but the damage was not there much. schools were closed, activities, but nothing much happened to israel. but i think the tension and is the relationship between iran and israel and and is the relationship between iran and israeland — — the scenario will not be the easy solution for the conflict between them and this will to control the situation in the middle east, especially in gaza and other areas in the middle east. . .. and other areas in the middle east. ., ~ , ., live now to california where i'm joined by retired us marine colonel and military affairs analyst, brendan kearney. thank you very much joining us.

what do you make of the moment, it is obviously very significant, it's been a very tense few hours. how do you think israel will respond? first it's great to be with you from california, this is an extraordinarily complex situation that the iranians have clearly sent a message that they don't want to be pushed around and the message is primarily aimed at the arab world. they are very concerned that sometimes they appear to be marginalised in terms of how serious they are and what type of efforts they want to make against israel. likewise when you look at what the israelis are doing now occur fully handled it, they have one of the best integrated air defence systems in the world. they, along with some participation

injordan and some yet to be defined american participation have managed to minimise the damage of the attack. there is a lot of symbolism, a lot of rhetoric and the truth is properly going to come out over the next couple of days as to exactly what has been accomplished by today's efforts and hopefully the cooler heads that will prevail in the coming days. that will prevail in the coming da s. ~ ., ., ~ ., ., days. what do we know at the moment about _ days. what do we know at the moment about the _ days. what do we know at the moment about the sort i days. what do we know at the moment about the sort of i days. what do we know at the i moment about the sort of drones and missiles that were used in the attack? it and missiles that were used in the attack?— the attack? it looks like everything _ the attack? it looks like everything i _ the attack? it looks like everything i have i the attack? it looks like everything i have read i the attack? it looks like| everything i have read in the attack? it looks like i everything i have read in open source media seems to indicate that these are iranian made drones, a lot has to do with the technology transfer that has come from north korea and possibly also from russia that the iraniansjerry possibly also from russia that the iranians jerry wrecked

themselves and used effectively in ukraine with some of the shipments they made to the russians. this is not the most sophisticated technology in the world, by any stretch of the imagination. but a drone that somehow manages not to get shot down and still do an awful lot of damage. it will be interesting again as part of this entire question as to what is going on is to what is possibly going to be the next wave if there is a next wave of drone attacks or missile attacks against israel. iran -ut attacks against israel. iran ut out attacks against israel. iran put out a _ attacks against israel. iran put out a statement i i attacks against israel. iran put out a statement i think to the un saying that this attack was completed in their view. they obviously had signalled to some degree that this was coming, there were warnings from them that this was coming.

has this been quite carefully calibrated by iran to show that they were responding to that israeli attack. while not going to escalate things so much that things really have to spiral. you used a great word there and that's calibrated. i think the iranians needed to respond. the israelis with the attack in damascus basically took the iranians and shot their head in the dirt. good for the israeli, there were going after the senior leaders ostensibly were also involved in the october seven attack in israel. iran had to respond, they had to do something. there was some probably, heads prevailing in

iran that decided as to what their target was going to be. we have seen this so far, what we don't know is is going to be subsequent waves of attacks. that could very well because a spiralling that the world is worried about. a response that israel would probably have to take if they felt that this thing was disproportionate to what they did to the iran. thea;r what they did to the iran. they were signalling _ what they did to the iran. they were signalling that _ what they did to the iran. they were signalling that this i what they did to the iran. they were signalling that this part of their attack is over for now. the key question that many are asking is how will israel respond, i asked at the beginning of this what is your sense at the moment of where the response could go?- the response could go? quite honestly i _ the response could go? quite honestly i think _ the response could go? quite honestly i think the _ the response could go? quite honestly i think the israeli i honestly i think the israeli will put this along right now, there may be some symbolic responses that will involve minimal attacks with minimal

damage. against iran. the trick will be the israeli, in a military sense iran is a target rich environment. in the sense that you could go ahead and attack oilfields, port facilities, airfields. there is an awful lot of things from a military perspective that you could do to really drive a stake into the heart of iran. i don't think the israelis will don't think the israelis will do that, i think that maybe something they are hoping back for the future and that may not happen. i think right now we're looking at symbolism and symbolism is extraordinarily important in that part of the world and i hope that there are, heads prevailing both in

israel and iran double stop any possibility of its filing out of control because this will be a very tuition at the world will have to content with. thank you very much indeed. michael oren is the former ambassador of israel to the us. hejoins me now from tel aviv. thank you forjoining us. good thank you for “oining us. good morning. — thank you forjoining us. good morning. good _ thank you forjoining us. good morning, good to _ thank you forjoining us. good morning, good to be - thank you forjoining us. good morning, good to be with i thank you forjoining us. goodj morning, good to be with you. thank you forjoining us. good i morning, good to be with you. a very difficult night for israel. your thoughts this morning on what the country has faced? . morning on what the country has faced? , ., ., ., faced? first of all we have cotten faced? first of all we have gotten through _ faced? first of all we have gotten through the - faced? first of all we have gotten through the night, | faced? first of all we have i gotten through the night, very long and tense night, grateful to our allies both in the united states and great britain for standing aside us last night and helping to intercept and take down those hundreds of rockets and missiles and drones that were fired at israel. for that were fired at israel. for that were fired at israel. for that we are grateful. we also

have to look at the greater context here. for many years we basically all of us, the united states, britain and israel were planned by iran's games and they order their proxies to fire israeli targets but sometimes at american and other allied targets throughout the middle east and we fire back at the proxies in the country that sent the proxies. in israel's case, those proxies hide behind civilian populations and use them as human shields and israel gets branded as a walkamin or but iran gets away scott free every time. israel i think it will begin to change the balls of the game and holding iran directly accountable for the aggression by its proxies. yes, the danger could be an escalation but if history is any indication by standing up to regional lease like iran the chances are you will escalate by taking a strong stance.—

will escalate by taking a strong stance. will escalate by taking a stron: stance. . ., ., , ., strong stance. what does that mean? what _ strong stance. what does that mean? what does _ strong stance. what does that mean? what does taking i strong stance. what does that mean? what does taking a i strong stance. what does that i mean? what does taking a strong stance mean? ii mean? what does taking a strong stance mean?— stance mean? if iran keep sending — stance mean? if iran keep sending hezbollah - stance mean? if iran keep sending hezbollah to i stance mean? if iran keep| sending hezbollah to shoot hundreds of rockets and rendering the whole northern part of the country uninhabitable, but an intolerable situation. israel has been firing back and they at the end of day have to conclude with the country that is sending hezbollah to do this. the attack in syria that was allegedly confirmed by israel was perfectly line with the will of the game and the situation is intolerable throughout much of the country about changes absolutely necessary for the defence and survival of the country. [30 necessary for the defence and survival of the country. do you think that _ survival of the country. do you think that israel _ survival of the country. do you think that israel will _ survival of the country. do you think that israel will hit - survival of the country. do you think that israel will hit back i think that israel will hit back at iran on its own soil? i think you cannot rule out that possibility. you cannot, i think israel was targeted by such a massive onslaught of

rockets and it has changed the rules of the game, it removed the veil from the myth that iran is not involved when rebels shoot chips in the street and when militias shoot at american troops. when hezbollah shoots at the gallery in israel or hamas shoots, somehow iran is not involved in this. we all know that they stand behind all of them and i think that maybe iran has done itself into service. israel will keep its options open when and how to respond to the attack. it and how to respond to the attack. . and how to respond to the attack. , , , ., attack. it will be beyond terrifying _ attack. it will be beyond terrifying for _ attack. it will be beyond terrifying for anyone i attack. it will be beyond terrifying for anyone in i attack. it will be beyond i terrifying for anyone in that region and right across the world, frankly if this escalates.— world, frankly if this escalates. . . . . world, frankly if this escalates. . ., ., escalates. the absence of an israel response _ escalates. the absence of an israel response is _ escalates. the absence of an israel response is more i israel response is more dangerous. history is an

indication, when you don't stand up to vicious regimes, you don't de—escalate you increase the escalation and that was true whether in europe in the 1930s and 1940s or the middle east today, the modern middle east today, the modern middle east today, the modern middle east military was break out what countries do not stand up out what countries do not stand up against regional aggression. it's quite the opposite. the greater denture personally is i not responding to iran. i greater denture personally is i not responding to iran.- not responding to iran. i use and that _ not responding to iran. i use and that you _ not responding to iran. i use and that you believe - not responding to iran. i use and that you believe that i not responding to iran. i use i and that you believe that there should be an attack on iran directly now? i should be an attack on iran directly now?— directly now? i believe the world has _ directly now? i believe the world has to _ directly now? i believe the world has to stand - directly now? i believe the world has to stand up i directly now? i believe the world has to stand up to i directly now? i believe the i world has to stand up to iran, notjust israel and includes not just israel and includes britain notjust israel and includes britain and the united states and our allies in the middle east and the arab world. enough is enough, iran has destabilise the region now for more than several decades and because of death of thousands of siblings. think about the support in syria and the massive group of

syrians. think about that and i think it is about time the will put its foot down. shill think it is about time the will put its foot down.— put its foot down. all the si . nals put its foot down. all the signals from _ put its foot down. all the signals from the - put its foot down. all the signals from the joe i put its foot down. all the i signals from the joe biden signals from thejoe biden ministration have been the rather they want a deescalation, would israel go it alone if the us said they were not willing to support that action from israel? ii that action from israel? if israel's leaders, military putting leader determined it is in ourfundamental putting leader determined it is in our fundamental strategic interest to act alone and we will act alone. according to history can 1967 on the eve of the six—day war president johnson said again and again that israel will only be alone if it determines to act alone and israel acted alone because it determined the interest were too vital, there were extensional. the bite administration and support during the attacks of last night, israel will do what it

is necessary to defend our people. i is necessary to defend our --eole. . ., , ., people. i want to understand militarily where _ people. i want to understand militarily where that - people. i want to understand militarily where that would i people. i want to understand | militarily where that would go because if iran and israel are in direct confrontation with each other in the proxies with others involved in the region that obviously is the potential for dire consequences. surely... make the case again. crosstalk ie. make the case again. crosstalk_ make the case again. crosstalt , ., , , . make the case again. crosstal , ., , , . ., crosstalk is the absence of resonse crosstalk is the absence of response that _ crosstalk is the absence of response that dire _ response that dire consequences. not a response. consequences. notaresonse. �* , ., not a response. but israel, many would _ not a response. but israel, many would say _ not a response. but israel, many would say has - not a response. but israel, many would say has been i many would say has been successful here with the help of its allies. in ensuring that there was not any civilian deaths as a result of the attack, the most attack was foiled as the israeli army put it. isn't that a win a should

that be act, isn't this a moment to pause and try and get negotiations meaningful talks for peace started? share negotiations meaningful talks for peace started?— for peace started? are you suggesting _ for peace started? are you suggesting that _ for peace started? are you suggesting that the - for peace started? are you i suggesting that the iranians open to peace negotiations with israel? �* ., _ ., israel? i'm obviously not in the room — israel? i'm obviously not in the room but _ israel? i'm obviously not in the room but we _ israel? i'm obviously not in the room but we know- israel? i'm obviously not in the room but we know thatj israel? i'm obviously not in i the room but we know that those efforts have been going on, haven't there, for months now. absolutely not, we have a regime that is committed to our destruction which is the world's largest state sponsor of terror which is the primary backer hamas, the owner and operator of hezbollah, militias, this is not a regime thatis militias, this is not a regime that is going to sit down and negotiate with us and this is coming for many years we had a very warm relationship with the iranian that ended with the revolution so our conflict is not with the people but with the regime. if there was a different regime than you could sit down and have the peaceful

relations again but right now we have to think about what israel needs to do in order to protect itself and defend its fundamental security, notjust fundamental security, not just the security fundamental security, notjust the security of last night but the security of last night but the long—term security. it's been my experience as a researcher and a practitioner of diplomacy that the danger comes not from responses but from a lack of response. you see now their been emboldened and strengthened over the years by the lack of that response. i don't know when israel or how israel may respond but having been struck and targeted by 200 rockets last night which is a game changer. removing the veil of their claim but not involving the proxy attacks against us. to let that go without a response i think would be very deleterious to the long—term security of israel. the long-term security of israel. a ., ., israel. michael, former ambassador _ israel. michael, former ambassador of - israel. michael, former ambassador of israel i israel. michael, former| ambassador of israel to israel. michael, former. ambassador of israel to be noticed is thank you very much.

well, let's have a look at the us military reaction. joe buccino is a former member of us central command at my colleague spoke to him earlier. iran has signalled that this is the end and they do not want israel to attack into iran. so, if you think about it in terms of — may be in strategic terms it is like turn one. turn one was the israeli strike into damascus. had to be a turn two. this is turn two. what is really going to matter here is what is turn three? what is israel going to do next?

because i believe that the iron dome is going to shoot down all of these rockets and all of these drones. i do not think anything is going to get through. so far, nothing has got through. iran has already signalled "we are done. we are going to put a cap on this." so now it is up to israel what is going to be turned three. $5 going to be turned three. as ou are going to be turned three. as you are outlining, it is about who has the last word in a shadow conflict which has now become an overt conflict. do you think israel would be satisfied to leave it at the turn three?— satisfied to leave it at the turn three? no. i think that netanyahu _ turn three? no. i think that netanyahu has _ turn three? no. i think that netanyahu has been - turn three? no. i think that| netanyahu has been looking turn three? no. i think that i netanyahu has been looking for a reason to engage directly with iran and look at it, maybe — look at this today and this evening from netanyahu's evening from neta nyahu's perspective, evening from netanyahu's perspective, ok? his entire character, his persona, is he is the protector, the one man who can protect israel. they

live in this incredibly dangerous neighbourhood with a smack to the west and lebanese hezbollah to the north and iran are now firing directly into israel. —— hamas to the west. people want to strike into iran to make it a wider regional war. he is always wanted that. now it is a matter the us state department, can president biden, can we dampen emotions here and can we talk that down? yeah, and in your experience, how can that be achieved? we are now seeing an overt war. can this be contained once again as a war of words? can you put the genie back into the bottle here? can diplomacy prevail? it bottle here? can diplomacy revail? , ., , prevail? it can. it is really 'ust a prevail? it can. it is really just a matter _ prevail? it can. it is really

just a matter of _ prevail? it can. it is really just a matter of aligning l prevail? it can. it is really i just a matter of aligning some agreement with netanyahu in terms of — look, he still needs funds and still needs aid with his walk with hamas. hints still needs american support for his walk with a smack. biden and netanyahu have known each other for biden and netanyahu have known each otherfor decades. biden and netanyahu have known each other for decades. biden does well with that historically, as his entire aduu historically, as his entire adult life. he does well with the interpersonal diplomacy, on the interpersonal diplomacy, on the phone, face to face. now, it has not worked with netanyahu since this war started with hamas by what we have to deal with is the relationship they have built over decades, the relationship of trust. ~ ., ~ over decades, the relationship oftrust. ~ ., ~ ., of trust. we were talking about the relationship _ of trust. we were talking about the relationship between i the relationship between president biden, between netanyahu which has been increasingly fraught to the plate. in your assessment, increasingly fraught to the plate. in yourassessment, do

you think there is the possibility for president biden to go back to the threat he made about conditioning military aid, for example, in terms of how that war is prosecuted in gaza and linking it to what we could see in terms of a reprisal on iran, saying "you still need your support. here is how washington would prefer to see this play out"? i would prefer to see this play out"? ., ., ~ ., ., , ., out"? i do not know if now is a aood out"? i do not know if now is a good time _ out"? i do not know if now is a good time for _ out"? i do not know if now is a good time for president - out"? i do not know if now is a good time for president biden| good time for president biden to threaten netanyahu after this terror on the streets. in tel aviv, there is rockets overhead in tel aviv. you know, obviously, that would be telephone. imagine if there are rockets or drawings where you are in dc. i think there is potentially an offramp here for everybody and i mentioned turn one, turn two and turn three — a turn three that is

face—saving for israel and iran. i don't know what that looks like but think about something where we signal through qatar to iran that this is turned three and then we are putting a cap on it and then we are good. something that allows netanyahu to send a message to save face, allows tehran to save face, allows tehran to save face, allows tehran to save face and then we call it good. save face and then we call it aood. �* ., ., , ., ., good. and i do does want to ask, good. and i do does want to ask. you _ good. and i do does want to ask, you know, _ good. and i do does want to ask, you know, in _ good. and i do does want to ask, you know, in terms- good. and i do does want to ask, you know, in terms of. ask, you know, in terms of broader regional contagion, how much of a concern is that? well, it is an enormous concern right now because you could have the houthis, they 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 head fuller may want to take advantage. the real threat to israel here that has

been a bigger threat than armagh smack, then these metals coming from iran is a lebanese hezbollah with thousands of rockets on the border. this is all a tinderbox right now. this is — this is what i mean. this turn three is really going to matter. it is going to matter in the coming days and it would matter for the coming decades. it could be something where there is courageous restraint on behalf of netanyahu and it could save some sort of real catastrophe here. that is what i hoped for. catastrophe here. that is what i hoped for-— i hoped for. definitely the sense that _ i hoped for. definitely the sense that this _ i hoped for. definitely the sense that this is - i hoped for. definitely the sense that this is a - i hoped for. definitely the sense that this is a huge i sense that this is a huge moment. i dojust want sense that this is a huge moment. i do just want to ask, with all of this in mind, you and i have spoken in the past about the prospects for a longer ceasefire, for a hostage deal. you were mentioning qatar there. what do you think all of this means for any prospect of any of those two options? well, i think you _

any of those two options? well, i think you have _ any of those two options? well, i think you have got _ any of those two options? well, i think you have got to - i think you have got to compartmentalise this which is what the saudis and qataris and jordanians are doing right now. let's compartmentalise this. we have got this thing with hamas thatis have got this thing with hamas that is ongoing, that is catastrophic, looks terrible and is turning the entire region against israel and the united states. you have got that. let's put that aside. because they all fear iran, 0k? the saudis, qatari's, they all fear iran. so, break those two out. let's not tie the war to gaza to this thing that is happening right now because this is a new thing. iran striking into israel from its own territory, that is a new thing. that has not happened before. and does it set a new bar, a new standard where if israel takes an action against

an irgc leader, now iran is going to strike into israel? these things need to be separated out and that is the way regional leaders are looking at it.— way regional leaders are looking at it. joe buccino there, former _ looking at it. joe buccino i there, former spokesperson looking at it. joe buccino - there, former spokesperson for us central command talking to helena humphrey. let me update you on where we are now. the israeli military has said that iran launched more than 300 missiles and drones in that overnight attack. its first direct strike on israeli territory. the idf spokesperson daniel hagari spoke in the last hour and said 99% of the missiles were intercepted by air defences. mr hagari said ballistic missiles struck an airbase in southern israel, causing minor damage to infrastructure. iran has said the attack was in response to what it has called various israeli crimes, including a strike that destroyed an iranian diplomatic compound in syria this month. israeli prime

minister benjamin netanyahu has convened his walk cabinet and earlier the idf had warned that tehran would suffer the consequences for choosing to escalate the situation further, as they put it. we have seen pictures of celebrations in tehran, of some people on the streets there. but all the neighbouring regions and china, japan, everyone calling for a deescalation, everyone very, very concerned. one report from axios suggesting that president biden is strongly pushing for israel not to retaliate. a lot of focus now on what israel will do to respond. it hasjust reopened its airspace, according to the airport's authority. we will be back in a few moments. this is bbc news. hello there. you might remember that friday had been the warmest day of the year. temperatures reached 21.5 degrees celsius in greater london at

both northolt and also at st james's park. but that figure didn't last very long. it was beaten on saturday. we've got temperatures up to 21.8 degrees celsius at rydell in essex. that now is the highest temperature recorded so far this year. we've got a big drop in temperatures on the way, though, across england and wales. and in some places those temperatures will be dropping by around seven degrees celsius. you will notice the change as cooler air that we have had across scotland and northern ireland works southwards. now over the next few hours we've got a few showers around. they tend to become confined to northern and western areas of scotland. otherwise, the skies are clearing. it's going to be a cold start to sunday morning with temperatures for quite a few places down at around four degrees celsius. might be chilly, but there will be plenty of early morning sunshine, clear, blue, sunny skies in many cases. but there will be some coastal showers in western scotland. and through the day, showers become extensive. scotland, northern ireland and a few getting into parts of western england and wales. some of the showers will be heavy with some hail mixed in and those temperatures, yes, will be coming down 15 degrees in london, seven degrees lower

than the temperatures we had on saturday, but actually smack bang on average for this time of the year. now for monday, low pressure is going to be moving southwards and eastwards across the uk. it's going to be a day where we'll see a band of heavy rain move south and eastwards, followed by showers. it's a windy day with gusts of wind reaching around 40—50 miles an hour, quite widely, but 60 in places. and those strong, gusty winds will blow in frequent showers. again, some of them will have hail mixed in. if anything, temperatures a little bit below average, but factor in the strength of the wind. while i think it will start to feel a little on the chilly side. tuesday and wednesday still see some showers or maybe a few longer spells of rain diving in from the north—west. temperatures probably quite close to average, really. so tuesday, a showery day against some of the showers with hail. the heaviest downpours and most frequent downpours for parts of scotland, northern ireland and the far north of england. temperatures around 11—13 degrees celsius or so. and really, we keep those rather showery weather conditions. i think through wednesday and thursday, there's a trend to seeing something a bit drier

as we get towards friday and into the following weekend as well. bye for now.

live from london, this is bbc news. sirens wail israel shoots down hundreds

of missiles and drones as iran launches an unprecedented attack. the bombardment marks a widely anticipated reprisal for the strike on its consulate in syria two weeks ago. president biden reaffirms the us�*s �*ironclad' commitment israel's security as more britishjets are sent to the region. and these are live pictures from tel aviv after what was the first time iran had ever launched a direct military assault on israel. hello. i'm geeta. thank you forjoining us. the israeli military says iran launched over 300 missiles and drones towards israel in what was an expected, but unprecedented response to a deadly israeli air strike that destroyed an iranian diplomatic compound in syria earlier this month. the idf says almost all of them were shot down and has described the attack as being "foiled".

the attack marks the first time iran had ever launched a direct military