in from around the world. egypt, the us, and uk are among the countries urging iran to show restraint. 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 celebrity to endorse kamala harris�* 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 martine croxall. israel has fired missiles into iran overnight, saying it hit 20 military targets in the country. in the last few hours, iran's foreign ministry responded to the attacks,

saying it's entitled and obligated to defend itself against what it called external aggressive acts but also said it recognised its responsibilities towards regional peace and security. it said two of its soldiers had been killed in the attacks. this is the moment israeli missiles could be seen and heard heading over the iranian capital. the idf says it carried out the attack because it accuses of relentlessly attacking israel since october 7th last year. tehran launched almost 200 ballistic missiles towards israel on one october, in what iran said was retaliation for the killing of hamas�*s political leader on iranian soil back injuly. the iranian army says the israel carried out the strikes on military centres in tehran, the western province of ilam, and the southwestern province of khuzestan. it said the damage was limited,

and missiles were intercepted and countered successfully. in the latest international reaction, russia has warned that an explosive escalation in hostilities risked spiralling out of control. the united states and britain both demanded iran not escalate the conflict further. here's sebastian usher with the latest. weeks of anticipation ended as israel launched its retaliation on iran, lighting up the skies over tehran. waves of israeli strikes targeted military sites. the israeli army said it had aimed at facilities that produce the missiles that have been fired at israel. the idf said it had accomplished its mission after several hours and delivered another strong warning to iran. translation: if the regime in iran were to make - the mistake of beginning a new round of escalation, we would be obliged to respond. all those threatening israel will pay a heavy price. 0n the streets of the iranian capital, some expressed their growing nervousness over the situation.

translation: i was working a night shift, and at work - we heard the sound of cannon fire and explosion. in fact, the sound echoed across the sky. it was a terrible and horrifying sound. translation: war is frightening. - everyone has concerns about what happens during a war. the harms of war worry everyone, but i don't believe a terrible war will happen in iran. that sense of trepidation is also being felt here in israel for weeks, where many fear the showdown with iran could embroil the country ever deeper in a dangerous cycle of escalation, a concern also voiced by the prime minister. of escalation, a concern also i am clear that israel has the right to defend itself against iranian aggression. i'm 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. the iranian foreign ministry has said the country is entitled and obliged to defend itself. the israeli strikes were in direct response to iran's ballistic missile attack at the start of the month. the ball is now back in iran's court. 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 in lebanon. 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. let's speak to our middle east correspondent in jerusalem, yolande knell. just how measured was this response from israel on iran? it was very carefully calibrated, this response, and it does seem that israel heeded

the warnings from its closest allies, the us, not to hit iran's most sensitive site, its nuclear site, iran's most sensitive site, its nuclearsite, its iran's most sensitive site, its nuclear site, its oil production facilities because that could have had a big knock effect economically and it really could have tipped the region into a full—scale regional war. we have had, you know, iran coming out, saying that it know, iran coming out, saying thatitis know, iran coming out, saying that it is going to respond to what happened, one of the semi—official news agency is talking about a proportional response... humanitarian law here but when they are thinking about what to do next, i mean, iwill they are thinking about what to do next, i mean, i will be reflecting, the iranian leadership them on the fact that this was limited damage with two soldiers killed, they say, but they know that israel has the capabilities to have done much more major damage inside iran. there have been these warnings coming from the us as well, really saying that now the strikes and counter

strikes between these two countries, the direct fire has to stop. countries, the direct fire has to sto -. countries, the direct fire has to sto . _ ., countries, the direct fire has to sto. ., , to stop. so, what is there in the way _ to stop. so, what is there in the way of _ to stop. so, what is there in the way of international - the way of international support for israel? i mean, we've had _ support for israel? i mean, we've had strong _ support for israel? i mean, | we've had strong messages support for israel? i mean, i we've had strong messages of support from the likes of the us, which was kept very much aware of what was going on, it said that it was told about israel's operation in advance but did not take part in it. they have been defending, along with the uk and others, israel's right they say to defend itself against what is seen as iranian aggression. now, that said, within the region you get a very different reaction. you've got the likes of saudi arabia talk about how this was a violation of a sovereignty, a lot of condemnation of israel, and jordan, a neighbouring country, making clear that its airspace was not used to carry out this attack, it says. to was not used to carry out this attack, it says.— was not used to carry out this attack, it says. to what extent mi . ht attack, it says. to what extent might israel's _

attack, it says. to what extent might israel's actions - might israel's actions overnight be in some way to distract from what is happening in northern gaza? i distract from what is happening in northern gaza?— in northern gaza? i mean, certainly _ in northern gaza? i mean, certainly this _ in northern gaza? i mean, certainly this has - in northern gaza? i mean, certainly this has been - in northern gaza? i mean, i certainly this has been going on for three weeks now, the major israeli offensive, a new offensive in the north of the gaza strip, and what we have been hearing about in the past couple of days are israeli forces entering into a hospital, one of the few remaining hospitals are functioning in gaza, and we are hearing from the gazan hamas run ministry of health that health workers, the male health workers have been detained, that that site has been put beyond use. and really of course over the past weeks, we have seen hundreds of people detained, there are hundreds of people trapped inside the jabalia urban refugee camp in the north of the gaza strip, lots of international concern about how quickly conditions there are really deteriorating with so little aid able to

reach those who really need it. i mean, ithink reach those who really need it. i mean, i think there will be a lot more focus on what is happening in gaza because we are expecting there to be a resumption of efforts to try and get a ceasefire deal and hostage release deal going with meeting in qatar taking place tomorrow, we understand, the qatari prime minister is due to receive the cia chief and the israeli intelligence chief who has been handling israeli negotiations on this issue. there has been a lot of movement, hamas meeting the egyptian intelligence in the past few days, and also we heard from the us secretary of state antony blinken when he was just in the region that really the americans are pushing very much now for a dramatic solution to what has been going on between israel and haslar and lebanon. been going on between israel and haslarand lebanon. —— we have the us election in two weeks' time, how much might

that impact the conflict? i mean subtly what we have been hiring is that israel has been hardening its stance on the approach to those elections. knowing that could very well be, if president trump is re—elected afterwards, that he could come back into washington with a new set of ideas about what policies to pursue in the middle east, that could really upturn things that antony blinken has been working towards, it makes it difficult for the americans to exert that leverage. that said, it does seem that the americans on this occasion have been listened to to some extent, we know they have been conversations going on regularly, the israelis emphasising that in recent weeks, as they planned their retaliation to that major missile attack by iran at the very start of this month.

yolande knell, thank you very much. bbc verify has been analysing footage that has come out of iran and will continue to do so without the day. these images were posted on x today and we have confirmed these photographs of the flames and heavy black smoke are rising from an air defence base south of tehran. this video was posted on x in the early hours and if you look closely, you should just be able to see black smoke rising from a military base that is east of tehran. in the next video, you can see flashes in the night sky, along with audible explosions. bbc verify was able to locate the videos in tehran by identifying a shopping centre in front of the camera position. there is also a taller building, which we confirm to be the tehran international tower. here, a

daylight image of damage to a factory. bbc verify found the factory. bbc verify found the factory was identified as a textile factory in an industrial town south of tehran. people in georgia are voting in what many see as one of the most important parliamentary elections since independence from the soviet union more than 30 years ago. the georgian dream party — which has governed for twelve years — is hoping to extend its hold on power. it's being challenged by a number of opposition groupings who accuse georgian dream of jeopardising moves to join the european union — and adopting increasingly pro— russian policies. our south caucasus and central asia correspondent rayhan demytrie sent us this update from a polling station. 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. now it's time for a look at today's sport. hello from the bbc sport centre. 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. new zealand created history by winning a test series in india for the first time. mitchell santner was their star bowler in pune. he took six wickets, including the key one of virat kohli.

india were chasing 359 to win but finished well short — all out for 245. it means the black caps end india's unbeaten home record that's lasted for 12 years, taking an unassailble 2—0 lead in the three—test series. there are five premier league games on saturday. 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 on sunday 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 not a big believer. sooner or later, the results bad is coming. after champions league i prefer to play against teams in the table because you are focused on the best thing we

can do is just watch the table. elsewhere, fourth—placed aston villa host bournemouth, newly—promoted ipswich are looking for their first win of the season at brentford, brighton can break into the top four with a win against bottom—side wolves and everton are at home to fulham. it's the biggest game in spanish football later on saturday as real madrid host barcelona in el clasico. champions real madrid are the one's that trail their rivals currently in the league. they're three points behind the catalans and will be hoping kylian mbappe shines in his first clasico. they will need to stop robert lewandowski who tops the scoring charts in la liga with 12 goals. it's also hansi flick�*s first taste of the fixture since taking charge of barca in the summer. when you play football, you want to play the classic one but it is the real classic one. in germany, we have some they

call the classic but it is not like this real madrid against barcelona, so it is a classic one and everyone is happy and they have to enjoy it. to enjoy it, you have to work hard, and will do that. there was the first walk—off grand slam in world series history as the los angeles dodgers beat the new york yankees in game one. it was hit by freddie freeman to give the 6—3 victory to the dodgers in extra innings. a walk—off grand slam is hitting a home—run with all the bases loaded to end the game. the best—of—seven series continues on saturday at the same venue, before switching to new york on monday. and that's all the sport for now. the number of migrants who've crossed the channel in small boats so far this year has passed the total for the whole of last year. the uk home office says since january, 29,578 people have made the crossing

between france and england. that's about 140 more than for all of 2023, however figures are down on the equivalent period in 2022. this year is already the deadliest on record for channel crossings, with more than 50 lives lost. the government says it's working to disrupt the people—smuggling gangs facilitating the journey. a rally of supporters of prominent far—right activist tommy robinson has begun in central london but mr robinson himself isn't attending because he's been detained by police since friday. the ai—year—old, whose real name is stephen yaxley—lennon is in police custody, charged with terrorism offences after refusing to tell police the code to access his mobile phone. around 3,000 people were expected to attend the rally which began with a march from victoria station to westminster. let's return to our top story. with me is parham

ghobadi from bbc persian. let's look at the extent of casualties and damage. 50 let's look at the extent of casualties and damage. so far, we now three _ casualties and damage. so far, we now three provinces - casualties and damage. so far, we now three provinces were i we now three provinces were targeted. . ilam and two other areas. one of the casualties was from a port there. and also tehran. though the first signs we have our lecture on realising it was the first israeli attack —— wave of israeli attack —— wave of israeli attacks. they are not many pictures and images coming out of the first one. in a second or maybe third round of attacks, a lot of video started surfacing on social media and even published by some of the iranian media inside the country, and it was from the eastern part of tehran, and it showed a continuous explosions in the skies, and that was the anti—air defence system getting

activated and getting involved with some projectiles in the sky. so that is what we have seen so far. our team has also managed to verify a location in the southern part of tehran thatis the southern part of tehran that is mentioned to be a factory, so it is set to be a drone factory that has been placated. —— it is said to be a drone factory. placated. -- it is said to be a drone factory.— drone factory. what is the likely response _ drone factory. what is the likely response going - drone factory. what is the likely response going to i drone factory. what is the | likely response going to be from iran, since they have said they are entitled and obligated to retaliate? it they are entitled and obligated to retaliate?— to retaliate? it is difficult to retaliate? it is difficult to say at _ to retaliate? it is difficult to say at this _ to retaliate? it is difficult to say at this stage - to retaliate? it is difficult to say at this stage but i to retaliate? it is difficult - to say at this stage but some of the m&s believe the reason iran is —— some of the analysts believe that the reason it is being downplayed, there are not serious damage, the damage was limited, the reason they are doing that is because they do not want to retaliate. for example, by sending another barrage of missiles towards israel. however, it is externally difficult to guess at this stage.—

externally difficult to guess at this state. ~ ., , at this stage. what is the mood inside the _ at this stage. what is the mood inside the country, _ inside the country, particularly in the capital? last night, i was awake and following 1537 00:21:06,134 -