Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who was on the phone with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu when the Iranian attack began, said: ‘I am deeply concerned that the region is on the brink and I am deeply concerned about the risk of miscalculation.’ At least five Israeli strikes reportedly hit Beirut’s southern suburbs early this morning as the world holds its breath. Israel’s defence systems stood firm against the Iranian barrages, fired in revenge for Mr Netanyahu’s campaign against Tehran’s Hezbollah allies in Lebanon, including the assassination of its leader last week.
Israel’s military is preparing a ‘significant retaliation’ to a shocking attack by Iran that saw nearly 200 ballistic missiles streak across the Middle East and rain down on Israel last night.
The region is edging closer to all-out war that is already drawing in allies on both sides – with British jets used to counter Iran’s strikes, which were fired in retaliation to attacks on the Islamic Republic’s Hezbollah allies in Lebanon in recent days.
Reports suggest Israel, which has vowed to strike ‘powerfully’ in response to Iran, could go after the country’s oil facilities.
Read More: Israel vows ‘to target Iran’s oil within days in revenge for missile barrage’