iran denies serious damage but says that two of its soldiers were killed. growing calls for de—escalation are pouring in from around the world. egypt, qatar, the us and the uk among countries encouraging iran to show restraint and break the cycle of violence. iran should not respond. we will continue to work with allies to de—escalate the situation across the region. in other news — with less than two weeks to go until the us election beyonce becomes the latest pop superstar to endorse kamala harris�*s bid to become president. i am not here as a celebrity. i am not here as a politician. i am here as a mother. cheering

hello, i'm lewis vaughanjones. iran's foreign ministry has given its first response to the multiple air strikes israel launched at the country overnight, saying it's "entitled and obligated to defend itself against external aggressive acts", but it "recognises its responsibilities towards regional peace and security". this is the moment israel struck. israeli missiles could be seen and heard heading over the iranian capital. the idf says it struck �*military targets�* in iran, which it accuses of "relentlessly attacking israel" since october the 7th 2023. it comes after tehran launched almost 200 ballistic missiles towards israel on one october, in what the country said was a retaliation for the killing of hamas�*s political leader on iranian soil back injuly.

the iranian army says the israeli airstrikes against military centres in tehran, the western province of ilam, and the southwestern province of khuzestan were intercepted and countered successfully. but the news agency reuters quotes an iranian army statement, saying two soldiers were killed. russia has warned that an explosive escalation risked spiralling out of control. the us and britain both demanded iran not escalate the conflict further. the israeli government released these pictures of prime minister benjamin netanyahu and defence minister yoav gallant following the strikes from the operation room at the israel's defense ministry in tel aviv. earlier the idf spokesman daniel hagari made this statement about the air strikes. the israel defense forces has fulfilled its mission. if the regime in iran were to make the mistake of beginning a new round of escalation, we would be obligated

to respond. our message is clear: all those who threaten the state of israel and seek to drag the region into wider escalation will pay a heavy price. we demonstrated today that we have both the capability and the resolve to act decisively, and we are prepared on offence and defence to defend the state of israel and the people of israel. following israel's retaliatory strike on iran overnight — let's remind you of how we got here. tensions rose in lebanon last month when at least 32 people were killed and thousands injured in lebanon, as dozens of hand—held devices like pagers and walkie—talkies — some owned by members of hezbollah, a group backed by iran — spontaneously exploded. ten days later, hezbollah leader hassan nasrallah was assassinated in israeli

airstrikes on southern beirut three days later israeli tanks crossed the border into southern lebanon — opening up a new offensive in the conflict. within hours iran had launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles towards israel. most were intercepted by israel's air defences, but mr netanyahu vowed then that israel would respond. two weeks later, the leader of hamas, yahya sinwar — who masterminded the 7th october attacks on israel — was killed in a chance encounter with israeli forces in rafah in southern gaza. it's seen as israel's biggest victory so far in its war against hamas. our security correspondent frank gardner says israel would have selected its targets carefully. i think it is fair to assume that everything the israelis wanted to hit, they will have hit. they have got very precise intelligence, both from inside the country and from satellite data and from signals

intelligence intercepts. they will have known exactly what they wanted to hit and that was from a range of targets. it is a fairly limited list and they have gone for essentially two things — iran's air defences, which clears the way for any future attack, should they decide to escalate this further, or particularly if there is an iranian response in the meantime. and secondly they have gone for missile production facilities — the very factories that produce the kind of missiles that hit israel on october the 1st. it was a relatively calibrated, restrained — relatively restrained — notwithstanding the fact that countries in the region and many of them are condemning this as dangerous escalation and a violation of iran's sovereignty. what do you make of iran's defences? we have been seeing pictures overnight, seemingly showing

iranian air defences intercepting, certainly some israeli missiles over the skyline. what is your assessment of the state of iran's defences? they are certainly not 100% and nor of course are israel's. as we saw on october the 1st that this was always the fear in israel that iran has such a huge arsenal of ballistic missiles that, should it decide to do a massed attack exactly as it did on october the 1st, that some of them would get through, as indeed they did. so it's too early to say exactly what the so—called bomb damage assessment is here. but certainly some things were hit and some things got intercepted. i don't know the exact numbers yet but there is a degree of presentation about this. i am not going to call it theatre but there is a degree of public perception that is incredibly important

here for both sides. they both need to look tough and try to act as a deterrent to the other. iran has a vested interest in telling its population, "don't worry, we repelled the aggressor. "they were sent packing, we have a strong country "and nothing can hurt us, nothing to fear here," which of course iranians are very concerned about a future escalation into a war. and as far as israel is concerned they are flinging their weight around the region — currently fighting a war in lebanon, in gaza — at least that is how it is perceived — and now in iran, determined to take out their enemies, and to weaken, if not destroy, iran's so—called axis of resistance which is leading to a lot of attacks on israel. meanwhile, let's not forget, behind all of this, as well as the gaza war raging, there is a lot of conflict happening in the west bank.

we don't see or hear quite so much of it internationally but it's a deeply unhappy place where illegal settlements are still continuing and settlers are trying to oust palestinian families that have lived there for generations. and that has really been lost in the bigger conflicts that are happening around the region. we arejust going we are just going to pause and leave events in iran. israel continues its offensive against hezbollah in lebanon. these pictures show smoke rising above the beirut skyline this morning, as israeli bombardments continue. earlier, a funeral was held for one of the three journalists killed by an israeli strike in hasbaya, southern lebanon, on friday. let's cross now to beirut

and speak to our middle east correspondent nafiseh kohnavard. just talk us through the latest where you are.— just talk us through the latest where you are. just a while ago we heard the _ where you are. just a while ago we heard the sound _ where you are. just a while ago we heard the sound barrier- we heard the sound barrier being broken byjets. is it sounded like an explosion but last night there was another wave of attacks on beirut. i heard at least eight very heavy explosions and the israeli army says that they were targeting hezbollah�*s infrastructure and also intelligence positions and this is what israel says that a warning came only about 30 minutes ago before that attack and right after explosion. we

heard that while iran was being attacked or so last night a different part of lebanon, including the south and the north—east, there were heavy bombardments in those areas as well and this morning there was a report on the border between lebanon and israel and now it has been clear that the wave that was interpreted to the earthquake was the result of a part of lebanese village, a lebanese village, being detonated by israeli army. this is well hezbollah is releasing a statement after a statement claiming responsibility for different multiple attacks on israeli forces on the other side of the border and also inside lebanese territory. they

have claimed that they have destroyed at least seven tanks and they have shut down a drone, a big drone, and also in the 48 others at least ten israeli soldiers. this is what also israeli army has confirmed, at least ten israeli soldiers were killed and 24 soldiers were killed and 24 soldiers were killed and 24 soldiers were wounded. thank ou ve soldiers were wounded. thank you very much _ soldiers were wounded. thank you very much for _ soldiers were wounded. thank you very much for that - soldiers were wounded. thank you very much for that update| you very much for that update from beirut. let's get the latest on those really strikes. let's get the latest on those really strikes. let's cross live now tojerusalem and speak to our middle east correspondent yolande knell. what have the authority has been saying? we what have the authority has been saying?— what have the authority has been sa inc? ~ ., ., ., ., been saying? we know that ahead ofthe been saying? we know that ahead of the strikes _ been saying? we know that ahead of the strikes there _ been saying? we know that ahead of the strikes there was _ been saying? we know that ahead of the strikes there was a - of the strikes there was a conference call between members of the israeli security cabinet to authorise what then took place. it was the early hours

of the morning that we got the first reports of explosions outside of tehran. very quickly the israeli military came out to confirm that it had begun its long—awaited response to iran's ballistic missile attack on israel which happened at the start of the month. then we got more details, about six o'clock local time, and it was confirmed by the israeli military that the operation was over. they said that they had involved dozens of their fighterjets. all of them had returned safely to their bases and what had been targeted in several locations in iran was the different sized utes for manufacturing and launching drones and ballistic missiles. there had also been a first round of strikes inside iran where they had gone after the iranian air defences as well. they considered this to have been a successful mission and said there should not be a counter retaliation coming from iran that could lead to an

escalation. there have been lots of messages coming from international leaders from the us as well, really urging restraint at this point. but what we have heard from the iranians, from the foreign ministry, as they have said around will respond, it is obliged to defend itself, and they say israel has broken international humanitarian law. so really, all eyes on iran at this point to see what happens next. . , ., , this point to see what happens next. ., i. , ., ~ this point to see what happens next. ., , ., ~ , next. can you 'ust talk us through h next. can you 'ust talk us through a _ next. can you just talk us through a little _ next. can you just talk us through a little bit, - next. can you just talk us through a little bit, the l through a little bit, the relation with the us and the role and the kind of chronology here. , , ,, . ., here. definitely. since that ma'or here. definitely. since that major strike _ here. definitely. since that major strike by _ here. definitely. since that major strike by iran - here. definitely. since that major strike by iran on - here. definitely. since that i major strike by iran on israel at the beginning of this month we were told by the israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu that iran would pay the price. and there was a lot of media speculation that israel was planning to hit more sensitive sites inside iran — nuclear sites, sensitive sites inside iran — nuclearsites, oil sensitive sites inside iran — nuclear sites, oil production facilities. and that really added to the international fears, and fears from israel's

closest ally the us, that this could tip the region really into a full—blown war. there could of course the big economic consequences as well going into a us presidential election, for hitting sites like oil production facilities inside iran, potentially having an effect on global energy prices. and so there have been these conversations that have gone on over the past few weeks as israel really weighed its response. there have been messages coming from the americans quite openly. president biden asking israel to limit its response, although there was an acceptance from there was an acceptance from the americans. they said that israel had the right to self—defence, such was the significance of that attack involving some 180 ballistic missiles that had been fired in this direction by the iranians. thank you very much for that and i'm just going to pick up now with what yolande knell was

pointing towards with some of the international reaction. we've had reaction to the strikes from the uk prime minister keir starmer. speaking from samoa, he warned iran against responding to the latest strikes. i am clear that israel has the right to defend itself against iranian aggression. i am equally clear that we need to avoid further regional escalation and urge all sides to show restraint. iran should not respond. we will continue to work with allies to de—escalate the situation across the region. plenty more coverage and analysis coming up. now it's time for a look at today's sport with marc edwards. we are going to start with cricket. england have a suffered a chastening nine—wicket defeat in rawalpindi to give a resurgent pakistan a 2—1 series win. yet again it was the hosts's spinners noman ali and sajid

khan, who combined to dismiss england for 112 all out, their lowest ever total in pakistan. it left them needing just 36, as they secured their first home series win in almost four years. but it's a third test loss in four matches for stokes and his side. the last couple of tests we have been thrown some challenges. i think it is pretty easy to assess that we weren't able to stand up to those challenges thrown at us. but the great thing about sport is that those challenges are always going to come along. throughout this tour, and in particular the last two games, we weren't able to match what pakistan had thrown at us. we have another challenge in new zealand so we need to put behind the disappointment of these last two games and move on to new zealand. pakistan have turned it around and they— pakistan have turned it around and they took some brave calls as well, — and they took some brave calls as well, the selectors overriding the coach under

captain— overriding the coach under captain and getting rid of three _ captain and getting rid of three massive names in pakistani cricket. that caused a few — pakistani cricket. that caused a few reverberations throughout the team — a few reverberations throughout the team but certainly, when sajid — the team but certainly, when sajid and _ the team but certainly, when sajid and noman came in they make — sajid and noman came in they make the _ sajid and noman came in they make the most of the conditions and you — make the most of the conditions and you have to give pakistan a lot of— and you have to give pakistan a lot of credit for having the resolve _ lot of credit for having the resolve to turn the series, especially after the manner of defeat — especially after the manner of defeat in that first test match _ there are five more premier league games today. the champions manchester city are at home to a southampton side with just one point from theirfirst eight games this season. pep guardiola knows a win will take city top with liverpool away at arsenal tomorrow, but the city boss says nothing can be taken for granted. if you start to change your thoughts the players will notice. they will know you are notice. they will know you are not a big believer. after champions league prefer to play

against teams in the table because you are focused on the best thing we can do is just watch the table. we have to stick to what we want — we have to stick to what we want to _ we have to stick to what we want to be and that is the challenge and see how brave we can he — challenge and see how brave we can be. we go with the same fight — can be. we go with the same fight and _ can be. we go with the same fight and mentality that we had and try— fight and mentality that we had and try to have enough moments ourselves— and try to have enough moments ourselves to come away knowing that we — ourselves to come away knowing that we have given everything we've — that we have given everything we've got. but if we do that we have _ we've got. but if we do that we have a — we've got. but if we do that we have a chance, you have a chance _ have a chance, you have a chance in _ have a chance, you have a chance in any game and things happen— chance in any game and things happen and things change. we are going to have a game plan to try— are going to have a game plan to try to— are going to have a game plan to try to win the game and not 'ust to try to win the game and not just avoid _ to try to win the game and not just avoid too much damage because _ just avoid too much damage because i think you have to, otherwise _ because i think you have to, otherwise what is point? let's take a quick look at the other games today. high flying aston villa are at home to bournemouth, brentford take on ipswich while brighton host wolves. in the early evening game everton face fulham. it's one thing after another for mercedes in formula one at the moment — not my words but those of their driver george russell after he crashed in second practice at the mexico city grand prix.

this was the incident — russell's heavy impact here the latest mercedes crash after problems last time out at the us grand prix in austin too. russell was winded but otherwise unhurt. carlos sainz topped the session for ferrari. oscar piastri was second for mclaren. engine issues for max verstappen meant he couldn't set a lap time in practice two. lando norris was fifth. just seemed like it's one thing after the other at the moment. it's frustrating as we are really strong, really fast. try taking the same line, cutting a corner, and for whatever reason... and that's all the sport for now. let's head to the us. superstar performer beyonce, alongside former bandmate kelly rowland, has endorsed kamala harris, in the us election at a campaign event in texas last night.

as the race for the white house enters its final stages, donald trump is also campaigning in the traditionally republican state. our north america correspondent emma vardy has more. # tell me how you feel about this... _ entering the stage as the presidential race nears its final act, beyonce is the latest musical icon to bring her star power to the kamala harris campaign. i'm not here as a celebrity. i'm not here as a politician. i'm here as a mother. a mother who cares deeply about the world. my children and all of our children live in. a world where we have the freedom to control our bodies. kamala harris came to texas to put a spotlight on one issue in particular. abortion has been one of the most divisive subjects of this election,

and texas has one of the strictest abortion bans in the us. kamala harris has promised to guarantee women's rights to abortion nationwide if she wins the presidency. we are fighting for an america where no matter who you are or where you live, you can make decisions about your own body for yourself. so moving forward, all of this is to say reproductive freedom is on the ballot in this presidential election. and in 10 states around the country, including arizona, florida and nevada. and with the work of everyone here. freedom will win. meanwhile, also in texas, donald trump has been on his most comfortable electoral terrain, visiting austin to return to his favourite campaign talking point: illegal immigration.

over the past four years, this state has become kamala's staging ground to import her army of migrant gangs and illegal alien criminals into every state in america. this is what's going _ on in springfield, ohio, right? during the campaign, donald trump has cancelled some traditional broadcast interviews in favour of other media appearances. in texas, he spent time recording with america's most popular podcaster, joe rogan, who has a huge and particularly male following. are we ready to say, madam president? this houston crowd are. but the polls remain extremely close. it's impossible to say who'll it's impossible to say who'll be calling on election be calling on election night with a problem. night with a problem. emma vardy, bbc news, emma vardy, bbc news, houston, texas. houston, texas. business leaders in the uk have voiced concern business leaders in the uk have voiced concern after a government after a government source told the bbc points, and lower the threshold source told the bbc that the national insurance that the national insurance rate for employers would be rate for employers would be increased in the budget, increased in the budget, on wednesday. on wednesday. the source said the chancellor the source said the chancellor rachel reeves is set to raise rachel reeves is set to raise

the rate by two percentage the rate by two percentage points, and lower the threshold at which employers start paying the tax. one business lobby group said the change would amount to a "tax on jobs". the number of migrants who've crossed the english channel in boats so far this year has almost reached the total numberfor 2023, according to the home office. more than 29,000 people have now arrived in the uk since january. numbers are down from the equivalent period in 2022. the government says it's working to disrupt people—smuggling gangs.

our south caucasus and central asia correspondent rayhan demytrie. georgian citizens are electing their new parliament, and this parliamentary election has been described as the most consequential for the country's european future. the choice that the voters have is between the incumbent georgian dream party, in powerfor the past 12 years, which has campaigned with the message that this election is about a choice between war and peace, suggesting that a vote for opposition would undermine this country's peace and stability. while the opposition is represented by four pro—western coalitions, and they have accused the incumbent georgian dream of pushing pro—kremlin policies here in georgia. and they're saying that a choice is between georgia's future as part of the european union or with russia.

all five of one direction's studio albums have reached the uk's top 40 list, as fans mourn the death of former member liam payne. the 31—year—old singer died last week after he fell from a third floor balcony of the casa sur hotel in buenos aires in argentina. ijust want i just want to bring you ijust want to bring you a line of breaking news we are getting from the reuters news agency. they are saying that peacekeepers of the un interim force in lebanon have withdrawn from an observation post in a town in south lebanon after israeli forces fired at it. plenty 1557 00:25:45,169 --> 00:2