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The RAF helped shoot down over 300 missiles and drones fired by Iran at Israel last night as fears of wider regional war grow.
Sirens wailed and heavy thuds and bangs were heard from what local media called aerial interceptions of explosive drones on Saturday night. Several ballistic missiles reached Israeli territory, causing minor damage to an air base.
Reports in Israel suggested RAF and US warplanes had shot down some Israel-bound Iranian drones over the Iraq-Syria border area.
The UK’s Ministry of Defence said aircraft in Iraq and Syria had been deployed to intercept “any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions”.
The Israeli military said on Sunday that Iran’s attack had been “foiled”, with 99 percent of the drones and missiles being intercepted overnight.
The attack came amid rising tensions following an attack on the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus.
Tehran had vowed retaliation for the strike earlier this month which killed several of its senior military leaders even as the US and its allies made intense diplomatic efforts to try and contain the fallout.
Key Points
- Iran sends hundreds of drones and missiles towards Israel
- IDF vows to try to prevent missiles reaching Israeli territory
- Benjamin Netanyahu pictured convening war cabinet
- More than 99 per cent Iranian projectiles intercepted, Israel claims
- Israel airspace reopens, airport authority says
- Joe Biden condemns Iran’s attack, plans G7 coordination
Sunak to join G7 leaders in urgent talks after Iran attacks Israel
G7 leaders are to hold urgent talks after Iran launched an unprecedented attack on Israel that saw RAF jets deployed to shoot down drones from Tehran.
Rishi Sunak is expected to join US President Joe Biden on the call on Sunday amid fears of further escalation in the event of a possible Israeli counter-strike.
Britain and the US have offered staunch support for Israel, with the Ministry of Defence saying RAF warplanes in Iraq and Syria had been deployed to intercept “any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions”.
Israeli war cabinet to meet at 12:30 GMT, says Israeli official
Israel’s war cabinet is due to meet at 3:30pm (12:30pm GMT) to discuss a response to the drone and missile attack launched by Iran overnight, an Israeli official said.
Athena Stavrou14 April 2024 10:38 1713086293Watch: Explosions light up Amman sky as Iran launches dozens of missiles and drones at Israel
Iran launched dozens of missiles and drones toward Israel in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Residents reported seeing missiles in the sky and hearing explosions, likely from interceptions above the Jordanian capital.
The Israeli military says Iran fired more than 100 bomb-carrying drones toward Israel.
Hours later, Iran announced it had also launch much more destructive ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.
Iran had been threatening to attack Israel after an airstrike earlier this week widely blamed on Israel destroyed Iran’s consulate in Syria, killing 12 people, including two elite Iranian generals.
Watch here:
Brian Alford14 April 2024 10:18 1713086062Victoria Atkins said the “circle of knowledge” on the conflict in the Middle East has to be “very, very tight”
The health secretary has been tight-lipped about the UK response to Iran when asked whether the Cabinet was consulted before RAF planes were deployed to protect Israel.
Speaking to the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme, the Health Secretary said: “Of course there are relevant Cabinet ministers in that (Cobra) meeting.
“You will appreciate the circle of knowledge on this has to be very, very tight because of the sensitivities and the danger that is involved for everyone in the region.”
Asked whether the Government would proscribe the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, she said: “We keep all of these issues under constant review.”
Ms Atkins said she is “not in a position to confirm or deny” whether British jets have already shot down Iranian drones.
Zoe Grunewald14 April 2024 10:14 1713084618Labour backs government action in Middle East
Labour has backed the UK Government action taken overnight to help protect Israel.
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “Let’s be clear, we support the existing Government missions in the Middle East and continue to do so.
“That is important. We also think that it is important that action was taken overnight to prevent the Iranian strikes on Israel because we should be clear that if action hadn’t been taken to prevent those strikes, we would have seen further escalation and further risk of widening conflict.”
Athena Stavrou14 April 2024 09:50 1713084312Irish premier condemns Iran attack
Irish premier Simon Harris has condemned Iran’s drone and missile attack on Israel.
“I strongly condemn Iran’s reckless and large-scale attack on Israel,” Mr Harris said in a statement.
“I urge all sides to show restraint now and to avoid any escalation in military action and the devastation that would cause.”
Athena Stavrou14 April 2024 09:45 1713082367Biden ‘won’t support’ Israeli attack on Iran
President Biden reportedly told Benjamin Netanyahu during a call on Saturday that the US won’t support any Israeli counterattack on Iran, a senior White House official told Axios.
Citing the official, Axios reported that Biden told Netanyahu: “You got a win. Take the win.”
The official also reportedly said that Netanyahu said he understood Biden’s position.
14 April 2024 09:12 1713081690UK ‘very consistent’ in support for Israel, says Health Secretary
Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said the UK has been “very consistent” in supporting Israel, but said that the UK has “joined with international partners and saying, actually the best thing for Israel, and for the region is for there to be an immediate humanitarian pause, so that we can get hostages out…get humanitarian aid into Gaza as quickly as possible”.
When asked why Israel attacked Damascus, Ms Atkins said we was “very cautious about daring to speculate what other international leaders may have been considering” and added that there will have been “many, many conversations ongoing…between our allies and international partners”.
Athena Stavrou14 April 2024 09:01 1713081351Victoria Atkins urges British nationals in the Middle East to look at the Foreign Office website
The health secretary Victoria Atkins has urged “anyone who in the region” to look at the Foreign Office website.
Talking to Trevor Phillips on Sky, she said there are “different pieces of advice for different parts of the region”, but urged any travellers to look at the FCDO website.
She added: “We’ve been quite clear for a while now as to which areas it is not safe to travel to, and so I really urge people to look at a website for the most up to date information.”
Athena Stavrou14 April 2024 08:55 1713081163Ed Davey says Iran attack is ‘dangerous escalation’
The leader of the Liberal Democrats has said the UK must work “stand up for Israel’s security” and called for an end to the “horrifying cycle of violence”.
In a statement released by the Lib Dems, Mr Davey said: “We utterly condemn Iran’s attack on Israel. This is a dangerous escalation in a conflict that has already caused far too much death and suffering.“
The UK must work with the international community to stand up for Israel’s security and the security of our other partners in the region.
“We must prevent further escalation and remain focused on finally achieving a lasting peace, so that Israeli and Palestinian children – both – can grow up free of the horrifying cycle of violence that has endured for so long.”
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