heard recently —— iranians. we heard recently the american saying that they had no good munication. i suspect after what happened is that western intelligence picked this up and so they've been able to track and work out what is going on. i think they will probably be an assessment going on and i think it will take over the next few days about how, you know, what sort of threat iran poses. it doesn't look as if they do have or are in possession of the sort of high tech equipment that they've been claiming they have. so, you know, if you have to fire 180 missiles in order to fire 180 missiles in order to hit your target and you still miss your targets, you know, this is... this is not a great look. not clearly they've hit something. then we will have to see what sort of damage thatis, have to see what sort of damage that is, because something will have got through if you fire that many off. but these are not what we would term "precision weapons" of any sort. so, you know, there will be an assessment by the americans, by us as well and the israelis to see what the

situation is but the iranians are naturally going to threaten more. i mean, that is clearly, you know, the point is the point of deterrence is to say if you do this we will strike back. the israelis have done the same to the iranians. it is very likely now that the israelis will want to be sure they punch back and punch back quite hard. they punch back and punch back quite hard-— quite hard. thank you indeed for bein: quite hard. thank you indeed for being with _ quite hard. thank you indeed for being with us. _ 0ur our next guest, the same questions to you if i can. we are seeing both sides warning against further action and both sides saying there will be a response if so, what would you expect to see from israel and if israel does strike, what is the risk in terms of an iranian retaliation for that?— the risk in terms of an iranian retaliation for that? thank you for having _ retaliation for that? thank you for having me. _ retaliation for that? thank you for having me. this _ retaliation for that? thank you for having me. this is - retaliation for that? thank you for having me. this is the - for having me. this is the nature of strategic competition between the israelis and iran,

there is a natural cycle of escalation and counter escalation, it is fully expected now. anything from control targets tied to the missile programme, the energy grid and a mix of institutions that are tied into the governing structure of the islamic republic. the same is true of the iranians, they have a mix of options available to them. they can have a second strike follow up on their first wave with a second wave, but all of this also comes at a time when both countries have been escalating at a pace that is quite problematic. the past cycle of informing each other and signalling was reassuring. the fact that you have less and less of proclivity to inform, to consult, to use channels, it shows just how dangerous this cycle can be. i expect we will see more from the iranians to

restore the credibility, the same is true of the israeli since october 7. trying to restore credibility is not always the response. would you exect to always the response. would you exuect to see — always the response. would you expect to see escalation - expect to see escalation immediately even though i'm sure there's a lot of criticism from the us, to have some sort of diplomatic resolution and not a military one? the israelis. _ not a military one? the israelis, since - not a military one? the israelis, since the - not a military one? the | israelis, since the 2006 not a military one? the: israelis, since the 2006 war, have been working off of a model that's been adopted over years. fighting a multi—domain, 360 degrees conflict with a mix of actors. that doesn't always mean you have an immediate reaction, it doesn't always mean it's a symbolic target, doesn't always mean it's a flash bang action where it's hitting a large set of target banks, wejust don't hitting a large set of target banks, we just don't have a way of knowing. the israelis have shown a willingness to act along a range of options going

from highly targeted, very focused rights against key personnel, all the way to high visibility action, the objective is to embarrass, shock and awe. i think there are limits it in so far as if the israelis for example were to decide to target anything tied to a clandestine nuclear programme, all that does is validate the view of tehran that they should pursue a much more concerted effort to acquire acquire nuclear weapons. the same is true of the iranians, they have had to deal with in israel that is far more of a strategic wild card in the aftermath of october 7. in the sense that if they don't calibrate their retaliatory actions just right, calibrate their retaliatory actionsjust right, the actions just right, the israelis actionsjust right, the israelis and their mix of partners are poised if necessary to retaliate in ways that frankly we would've not

conceived as credible or likely in a pre—7th 0ctober context. to absorb casualties, absorb attrition, is not endless, it's attrition, is not endless, it's a small country with a limited population and iran is a large country dealing with its own pressures, but this cycle is one where you really do need at least some back channel effort led by the us, led by our other partners and yes, it will get lambasted as being either halfhearted or being ineffectual at times. i really don't see an alternative to having actively engaged. there is a big question _ having actively engaged. there is a big question about - having actively engaged. there| is a big question about whether there is a political vacuum on this in the us, and is not part of the explanation for what we are seeing here? the israeli military spokesman is saying the israeli air force will strike powerfully in the middle east. he said iran carried a

serious act out tonight and is pushing the middle eastern escalation. is there a redline in your view of support from the us to israel if they do now choose to strike against iran? none of this would've been remotely conceivable in a pre—7th 0ctober context. the chain of events, the butterfly effect of ya hya sinwar�*s actions, in terms of what the is really risk appetite for retaliation, but it does also come at dusk also, the time that if you are the netanyahu government, and you will do see a biden administration in its twilight, and uncertain transition after the election, uncertainty both in terms of what will be the policies under a harris present say and also different kinds of uncertainties under a drum presidency. there really is only such a small window to take any kind of critical action against iran and its proxies. i don't think that the

united states government either at the level of the executive branch or the legislative level has any real disposition to curtail or limit the israelis when it comes to how they conducted their deterrence actions against iran and external actors like hezbollah and the houthis. it's problematic for any administration insofar as dealing with the mix of pressures inside israel and in the palestinian territories. and that is a struggle that you see within the broader us government agencies. i don't think you're going to have a lot of folks in the us government thinking about how one should couch the israeli response to hezbollah, but conversely they are thinking very carefully about what state and state in any of this, what is the off ramp such that you have a modicum of stability and

security as far as the israelis are concerned from their perspective. how do you prevent a lasting demographic crisis and a displaced person crisis in israel, lebanon i should say, that could be deeply destabilising for the country and the region, and how do you prevent the iranians and the israelis from continuing to escalate to nowhere over what could be weeks in an election cycle that itself is contentious.- cycle that itself is contentious. ., ., ., contentious. we have to leave either, thank _ contentious. we have to leave either, thank you _ contentious. we have to leave either, thank you very - contentious. we have to leave either, thank you very much i either, thank you very much indeed for being with us. we'll take you live to westminster for sir keir starmer.- take you live to westminster for sir keir starmer. iran has launched _ for sir keir starmer. iran has launched over _ for sir keir starmer. iran has launched over 200 _ for sir keir starmer. iran has launched over 200 ballistic l launched over 200 ballistic missiles at civilian targets in israel. it's too soon to assess the impact fully, but i utterly condemn this attempt by the iranian regime to harm innocent israelis, to escalate this incredibly dangerous situation, and push the region ever closer to the brink. it cannot be

tolerated. we stand with israel and we recognise her right to self—defense in the face of this aggression. iran must stop these attacks. together with its proxies like hezbollah. iran has menaced the middle east forfar too long. iran has menaced the middle east for far too long. chaos and destruction brought not just israel, but to the people they live amongst in lebanon and beyond. make no mistake — written stands. where against such violence. we support israel's reasonable demand for the security of its people i've spoken today with prime minister netanyahu, king of jordan, emmanuel macron, and president scholz. —— britain stands with them. i've spoken

to others to try and find a space for a political solution. for the conflicts in lebanon and gaza. because i am deeply concerned about the region is on the brink and i'm deeply concerned about the risk of miscalculation. the situation in lebanon is increasingly great. i want to repeat my advice to british nationals who are still in lebanon. you must leave now. you should register your presence with government officials on our website. we have a chartered flight and we are doing everything we can to get people out. the situation is extremely volatile, so if you have the means to leave, the time is now. do not wait. i'll now take questions. thank ou, i'll now take questions. thank you. prime — i'll now take questions. thank you, prime minister. - i'll now take questions. thank you, prime minister. first - i'll now take questions. thank you, prime minister. first of i you, prime minister. first of an, — you, prime minister. first of an, is — you, prime minister. first of an. is the — you, prime minister. first of all, is the uk prepared to use british— all, is the uk prepared to use british military capabilities to help _ british military capabilities

to help israel defend itself against iran, and has that already— against iran, and has that already happened this evening? this, _ already happened this evening? this, you'll appreciate, already happened this evening? this, you'llappreciate, is an this, you'll appreciate, is an evolving situation. but what i will say is that we stand with israel and her right to self—defense and any relevant updates will be provided in due course. �* updates will be provided in due course. ~ ., ., updates will be provided in due course. ., ., updates will be provided in due course. ~ ., ., , ., course. and on that phone call with benjamin _ course. and on that phone call with benjamin netanyahu, - course. and on that phone callj with benjamin netanyahu, this evening, — with benjamin netanyahu, this evening, you and other world leaders — evening, you and other world leaders have been calling for a cease—fire, for the escalation in the — cease—fire, for the escalation in the region, it doesn't seem that— in the region, it doesn't seem that those _ in the region, it doesn't seem that those calls are being heard _ that those calls are being heard. can you give us any more detail— heard. can you give us any more detail on— heard. can you give us any more detail on what you said tonight to him? — detail on what you said tonight to him? i— detail on what you said tonight to him? ., �* ., ., to him? i won't go into the full details, _ to him? i won't go into the full details, but _ to him? i won't go into the full details, but in - to him? iwon't go into the full details, but in all- to him? i won't go into the full details, but in all of. to him? i won't go into the | full details, but in all of the calls i've been making, with world leaders, i have expressed my concern that the region is on the brink. and there is a high risk of miscalculation and therefore we have to find a

route to de—escalate on all fronts. and in the end, the only solution here is a political solution so my calls have been about the importance of creating the space and the conditions for that de—escalation. and to find a political route forward. with prime minister netanyahu, i also was able to make the case for a cease—fire in gaza, and importantly, to repeat that the hostages must be released unconditionally and immediately because we must never lose sight of the hostages who have been held for such a long time now. ., ~' been held for such a long time now. . ~ , ., been held for such a long time now. . ~ i. ~.,, been held for such a long time now. . . , now. thank you. was this your message _ now. thank you. was this your message to — now. thank you. was this your message to israel _ now. thank you. was this your message to israel now? - now. thank you. was this your message to israel now? are i now. thank you. was this your i message to israel now? are you again— message to israel now? are you again calling for restraint, because _ again calling for restraint, because they would argue that didu't— because they would argue that didn't deter a second attack. my message very clearly tonight is to condemn this attack by iran. to recognise in clear

terms israel's right to security and defend herself. and i say that an absolutely clear terms. obviously, and i say that an absolutely clearterms. obviously, ithink all parties are concerned that this doesn't spiral into a much bigger conflict, but on the principle, of israel's right to self—defense, i have been very very clear. self-defense, i have been very very clear-— very clear. thank you very much. very clear. thank you very much- sir— very clear. thank you very much. sir keir— very clear. thank you very much. sir keir starmer. very clear. thank you very - much. sir keir starmer there, the british government of course is a long—standing ally of israel and the british prime minister, condemning the attack by iran, let's go to harry farley our correspondent outside number 10 downing street. this is the first major international crisis, part of an ongoing year—long crisis that sir keir starmer, the new prime minister is dealing with. that's right, and he said he had spoken to the israeli prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, this afternoon and in that call he expressed his condemnation in the strongest possible terms

for iran's attack on israel. he recognised israel's right to security and the principle of them. obviously early in the year, april, the previous government helped defend israel from a, another iranian attack, and help to shoot down drones and help to shoot down drones and that attack. answer keir starmer saying he recognised israel's right to self—defense and the principle of its own security. he also repeated his calls for cease—fire, both in lebanon and in gaza. obviously those calls at the moment going unheeded, he said he'd spoken to a number of world leaders throughout the day and reiterated those calls for a cease—fire. reiterated those calls for a cease-fire.— reiterated those calls for a cease-fire. . , . , ., ~ cease-fire. harry farley, thank ou ve cease-fire. harry farley, thank you very much _ cease-fire. harry farley, thank you very much indeed. - cease-fire. harry farley, thank you very much indeed. thank. cease-fire. harry farley, thank. you very much indeed. thank you for being with us, i know you're in beirut. you will of heard the condemnation from the us and from the british prime

minister, what is the chance now of a de—escalation in the region? it now of a de-escalation in the reuion? , , ., region? it depends on the israeli regime. _ region? it depends on the israeli regime. the - region? it depends on the israeli regime. the israeli| israeli regime. the israeli regime has been carrying out a genocide in gaza, it has been carrying out genocidal attacks in lebanon with the full support of the british government, the american government. and they are just as guilty of these were crimes as guilty of these were crimes as netanyahu. and when the israeli regime assassinated before an official in iran, the political leader of hamas, when the israelis assassinated him at the un security council the british refused to allow it, common —— a condemnation. they supported the strike on iran's

embassy, they supported the assassination of a foreign leader, diplomat in iran, under those circumstances that caused, they are the ones who are guilty of bringing about escalation. they continue to feed the israeli regime to massacre people in beirut, and now in iran. i think people should be very careful about what's happening, one of your guests said that they iranian attacks didn't cause any damage, i'm glad to know that he knows all the results of the air strikes before the israelis know about them, but the fact is that this is the tip of the iceberg. iran has many underground cities that they made after the invasion of iraq and afghanistan by the americans to defend the country against a possible invasion. iran has hundreds of thousands of missiles, if they want to go after the israeli regime, they destroy it.

after the israeli regime, they destroy it-— destroy it. the question is, are we basically _ destroy it. the question is, are we basically seeing - destroy it. the question is, l are we basically seeing direct worn out between iran and israel? because the us it also says so far there is no sign of, orsimply says so far there is no sign of, or simply as they see it, of, or simply as they see it, of course, no—one injured or hurt as a result of the strikes in israel, but they iran has said this is only the first wave. are you expecting a further attack from iran to israel? �* , . ., ., israel? i'm very confident that the israelis _ israel? i'm very confident that the israelis have _ israel? i'm very confident that the israelis have suffered - israel? i'm very confident that the israelis have suffered a i the israelis have suffered a major blow and i understand how the israelis and americans would hide their losses and their damage, that really doesn't bother us. what is important is that the americans understand that netanyahu leads this war. and if netanyahu gets his war and the americans get involved, all the us assets in the persian gulf will be gone and those countries that host them, they will be gone. those

missiles and drones will destroy all the oil and gas installations and the ships and the tankers that carry them. they will be swept away in iraq, the resistance and iraq will deal with the americans come into the americans won that? that will lead to a global economic crisis that we haven't seen since 1929 and it will be worse than that. and then after the global economy collapses you'll have millions of people on the move, people of people on the move, people of england, the united states, europe, is that what they want? then let their leaders continue to support this genocidal maniac in tel aviv.- to support this genocidal maniac in tel aviv. you will know of— maniac in tel aviv. you will know of course _ maniac in tel aviv. you will know of course that - maniac in tel aviv. you will know of course that israel i maniac in tel aviv. you will i know of course that israel say that this is them defending themselves against hezbollah attacks and against the attack tjy attacks and against the attack by hamas a year ago. it is not in anyone's interest for this to continue, is it, and the strikes by iran today have been, you know, said by the us and buy israel, to be ineffective. so is iran bluffing when it proclaims the

strength? t bluffing when it proclaims the strenuth? ., �* ~' ., bluffing when it proclaims the strenuth? ~' ., . bluffing when it proclaims the strenuth? ., �* ~ ., ~ strength? i don't know. are you askin: as strength? i don't know. are you asking as their _ strength? i don't know. are you asking as their spokeswoman? l asking as their spokeswoman? i'm asking questions as a journalist.— i'm asking questions as a “ournalist. . ., , ~ , journalist. the iranian strikes were very _ journalist. the iranian strikes were very effective _ journalist. the iranian strikes were very effective and - journalist. the iranian strikes were very effective and i - journalist. the iranian strikes| were very effective and i think the israeli regime should be very wary about striking at back iran, because iran has already said if they strike back, we will beat them to submission. so they have to be very careful and hezbollah has thousands of missiles, heavy missiles underground that have been untouched. have no doubt, has below�*s military has been untouched, a number of senior officials have been murdered in beirut but thousands of kilometres of underground tunnels in their bases are all untouched and you have yemen and iraq, israeli regime should better know its place. it's time to end the genocide, it's time to end the genocide, it's time to end this at a great expectation.—

time to end this at a great exectation. ,, .,, ., , , expectation. the us obviously - ushin . , expectation. the us obviously pushing. and _ expectation. the us obviously pushing, and others _ expectation. the us obviously pushing, and others obviouslyj pushing, and others obviously pushing, and others obviously pushing for a de—escalation and a cease—fire, but we're going to have to leave there, make you very much indeed for being with us from the university of tehran speaking to us from beirut there. of course in the us, there is effectively a political pause almost, joe biden �*s president but the election is due injust a biden �*s president but the election is due in just a few weeks' time at the start of november, and tonight there is a us vice presidential tv debate between two us veterans. how was i going to affect the tone of the debate as the us chooses its next commander—in—chief and the two men arguing for their pick of president? let's go to caitriona perry, my colleague there in new york for us. and a

very sombre mood i'm sure for everywhere, everyone watching us. as is going to affect, this must affect the debate that we are going to see from the vice president and the subjects that they are going to have to talk about? ~ . ., , ., ., about? well, it changes a lot but at the — about? well, it changes a lot but at the same _ about? well, it changes a lot but at the same time - about? well, it changes a lot but at the same time it - about? well, it changes a lot i but at the same time it changes nothing. this is a very big moment in the democratic process as of this country, as you say, they are seeking to choose the next vice president, and his vice presidential debate is one of those important landmarks along the way. notwithstanding what's happening in the middle east, essentially the show must go on here. the candidates are in new york and they will be coming out and about five hours or so to have that debate for 90 minutes. it changes everything as you alluded to there in terms of the topics that will be discussed. one of the moderators in fact, margaret brennan, is the chief expires —— foreign affairs correspondent for cbs news. i would anticipate she will lead

a big chunk of questioning, potentially right at the top as to how the us should proceed here. as you mentioned they're both men are military veterans, its first time in nearly 30 years in fact that both individuals on the stage have a military background. now i should point out, neither actually faced combat within their particular roles, governor walls of the democratic party, the closest he got to contact was a support role for troops in afghanistan, jd role for troops in afghanistan, jd vance was in the marine corps and he did serve a six—month tour of duty in iraq but did not see combat and the tour. we'll see how their colleagues at the top of the ticket are best placed to be commander—in—chief to be in charge of the troops of this nation, particularly today as we see them moving closer as we've been discussing there, to this regional conflict spreading and the us having a role in that. we further from the pentagon injust the role in that. we further from the pentagon in just the last few moments the two us navy

missile destroyed all vessels fired about a dozen or so interceptors to help israel and its defence, they fired those at missiles that the pentagon said were coming from within iran and shot those down and that's what we've been seeing in those pictures all day. so there is a role here for these individuals potentially, one of them, or one of them will be in office injanuary, we don't know which one and they will have to deal with whatever has started here today. tqm. have to deal with whatever has started here today.— started here today. 0k, thank ou ve started here today. 0k, thank you very much _ started here today. 0k, thank you very much indeed. - started here today. 0k, thank you very much indeed. we'rel you very much indeed. we're back with you in the coming hours. for more on that debate... joining me now isjoe donnelly. he served as us ambassador to the holy see. how concerned how concerned are how concerned are you, how concerned is the us establishment, the us government going to be about what we've seen in the last few hours? , ., , , , hours? obviously, there is . reat hours? obviously, there is great concern. _ hours? obviously, there is great concern. we - hours? obviously, there is great concern. we want i great concern. we want de—escalation, we want peace in the middle east and iran's attacks only make that more

difficult. this attacks only make that more difficult. �* _ ., �* attacks only make that more difficult. ~ _ ., �* , difficult. as joe biden being too supportive _ difficult. as joe biden being too supportive of _ difficult. as joe biden being too supportive of israel? i too supportive of israel? because ultimately, if we are seeing israel go into lebanon and we are now saying iran attack israel, we are seeing the regional escalation that everyone has been warning against him for months. what ou're against him for months. what you're saying _ against him for months. what you're saying is _ against him for months. what you're saying is president i you're saying is president biden has worked tirelessly to try to achieve a cease—fire. you're saying that he failed though hasn't he? a year on this crisis has escalated into really dangerous and frankly frightening territory. somebody has to lead _ frightening territory. somebody has to lead and _ frightening territory. somebody has to lead and somebody i frightening territory. somebody has to lead and somebody has. frightening territory. somebodyi has to lead and somebody has to make the effort and there's no guarantees. one of the things james baker, former secretary of state said is, you have to have both sides wanting that piece. as much as you do, leaning with the cease—fire efforts. the fact that we don't have a cease—fire yet doesn't mean that you give up, doesn't mean that you give up, doesn't mean that you stop. because the

efforts by president biden probably have more chance for success than anything else we are saying. and he is a man with a spine of steel, who will not stop those efforts. and not stop those efforts. and et, not stop those efforts. and yet. many _ not stop those efforts. and yet, many will _ not stop those efforts. and yet, many will say - not stop those efforts. and yet, many will say that israel has crossed the line and that the us should have pulled them back because if we are now going to see israel respond, we do not know where that will lead, we do not know how far iran then will retaliate. first, israel is a sovereign nation, the united states can't say it do this, do that, they are their own country. but they are their own country. but they are bankrolled, _ are their own country. but they are bankrolled, they _ are their own country. but they are bankrolled, they are i are bankrolled, they are bankrolled in so many ways in their military action by the us. ~ their military action by the us. . .,. their military action by the us. ~ .. , their military action by the us. ~ , ., us. well, the fact is that about one _ us. well, the fact is that about one year _ us. well, the fact is that about one year ago, i us. well, the fact is that| about one year ago, short us. well, the fact is that - about one year ago, short of about one year ago, short of about a week, hamas came in and killed over 1200 people in israel, many of whom were american citizens. the parents of hirsch goldberg who i know

personally, who lost their son, who was murdered in a tunnel not too long ago, and the effort since that time have been to de—escalate. those efforts will continue. as i said before, you have to have both sides also wanting that de—escalation, that piece, and make no mistake, these are all proxies of iran and so that's who you're talking about on the other side. who you're talking about on the otherside. jae who you're talking about on the other side-— other side. joe donnelly, thank ou for other side. joe donnelly, thank you foryour— other side. joe donnelly, thank you for your time. _ other side. joe donnelly, thank you for your time. thank i other side. joe donnelly, thank you for your time. thank you i you for your time. thank you very much indeed for being with us. lena, we have seen a very alarming escalation in the last two or three hours, haven't we? we have and we've also heard just now from your guests very opposing statements and i think thisjust shows us opposing statements and i think this just shows us the degree of tension going on. with israel being very defensive about what it's doing, saying

this is self—defense, and iran actually claiming a similar scenario. and diplomacy meanwhile is trying to prevent the situation from escalating but when you have two warring actors being so stubborn it's very difficult to see a diplomatic breakthrough anytime soon. t5 diplomatic breakthrough anytime soon. , y ., diplomatic breakthrough anytime soon. , ., ., soon. is your expectation from what you've — soon. is your expectation from what you've seen _ soon. is your expectation from what you've seen and - soon. is your expectation from what you've seen and what i what you've seen and what you've monitored, that both sides will retaliate in a military way for the? because we heard from iran that this is just part of the first wave at israel has said that there will be a response.— be a response. absolutely. i don't think _ be a response. absolutely. i don't think diplomacy i be a response. absolutely. i don't think diplomacy can i be a response. absolutely. i i don't think diplomacy can move fast enough. i think israel has already announced that it will retaliate tonight, this retaliation is not going to be symbolic like what happened in april because iran's attacked this time was not a symbolic one like what happened last april. so iran has raised the stakes by engaging in this

attack this evening. and israel will respond accordingly, but i think, you know, this also means that iran will likely action what it said will be phased to and who knows where this will lead the region, really. this will lead the region, reall . �* this will lead the region, reall . . ., ., this will lead the region, reall. . ., ., ., ., really. and do you have an idea as to what _ really. and do you have an idea as to what phase _ really. and do you have an idea as to what phase ii _ really. and do you have an idea as to what phase ii could i really. and do you have an idea as to what phase ii could be? i as to what phase ii could be? if we see further israeli strikes, if israel, for example, strikes probably unto iran territory, where does that leave us? t iran territory, where does that leave us?— leave us? i mean, all possibilities - leave us? i mean, all- possibilities unfortunately are on the table. iran can use larger missiles, it can hit sites inhabited by civilians, this time it set its targets were military, but if it chooses to have indiscriminate bombing then that would be a huge devastation in the trajectory of the current conflict. so anything is

possible. let's hope diplomacy still manages to at least curtail things in the short—term, but i'm expecting things to escalate before they de—escalate. things to escalate before they de-escalate-_ things to escalate before they de-escalate. . ., ., de-escalate. and what about the role of hezbollah _ de-escalate. and what about the role of hezbollah and _ de-escalate. and what about the role of hezbollah and all - de-escalate. and what about the role of hezbollah and all of i role of hezbollah and all of thishas bull is continuing to launch missiles at northern israel. , ., , ., israel. even if israel is now engaged — israel. even if israel is now engaged in _ israel. even if israel is now engaged in an _ israel. even if israel is now engaged in an invasion i israel. even if israel is now engaged in an invasion of i engaged in an invasion of lebanon through ground operations in southern lebanon, hezbollah is still operating and continues to pose a threat to israeli security, and even this ground operation is not going to be able to curb hezbollah and a number of days. israel said this is going to be a limited and short operation but this scenario has been seen before in the 1982 invasion for example, when israel also in the beginning said this was going to be a limited campaign in lebanon, and in the end it wasn't. the situation is very volatile. ., ~ , ., ,

wasn't. the situation is very volatile. ., ~ , . volatile. thank you very much indeed. the military spokesperson said the military air force will strike powerfully in the middle east tonight. he said the israeli and us air defences operate effectively on a barrage of iranian missiles. iran carried out an act tonight and is pushing an escalation. that is from the israeli military spokesperson. let's go live to our state department in washington. tom, tell us more about what the us has said we've heard briefings from the white house and from the state department. how worried are they tonight?— they tonight? well, they are very concerned _ they tonight? well, they are very concerned indeed. i they tonight? well, they are | very concerned indeed. when they been asked repeatedly about what comes next, they are stalling on saying anything publicly on that, saying only that they are now consulting with their israeli partners, as they put it, and that decision

will be made.