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Israel has warned that the conflict with Iran is “not over yet” as it considers its response to the 330 drones and missiles launched fired overnight by Tehran.
Sirens wailed and heavy thuds and bangs were heard from what local media called aerial interceptions of explosive drones on Saturday night.
The Israeli military said more than 99 per cent of the drones and missiles were intercepted with help from allies including the US, UK and France - but several ballistic missiles reached Israeli territory, causing minor damage to an air base.
Rishi Sunak confirmed that RAF jets had been involved: “I can confirm that our planes did shoot down a number of Iranian attack drones. I want to pay tribute to the bravery and professionalism of our pilots flying into the face of danger to protect civilians.”
The prime minister called for “calm heads to prevail” following the assaul and ahead of a meeting of G7 leaders amid fears of further escalation in the event of a possible Israeli counter-strike.
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
Parliament must have its say on Iranian drone and missile attacks, say Lib Dems
Responding to the Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel last night, the Liberal Democrat Defence Spokesperson Richard Foord MP said: “Liberal Democrats condemn in the strongest terms possible Iran’s attack on Israel. We support the action by the RAF to intercept Iranian attack drones.
It is right that the UK calls for calm heads to prevail; leaders must exercise restraint and work towards a lasting peace.
“It is a crucial convention that Parliament should have an opportunity to approve military action, even when that action has happened already. The Government should uphold that principle by holding a debate and a vote in the House of Commons as soon as possible.”
Athena Stavrou14 April 2024 14:51 1713102248Israeli war cabinet member: ‘The event is not over'
Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz said that “the event is not over” as he speaks out following Iran’s attack on Israel.
“We will build a regional coalition against the threat of Iran, and we will exact a price from it in the way and at the time that suits us,” he told Israeli news broadcaster Kans.
Athena Stavrou14 April 2024 14:44 1713100929Humza Yousaf calls for political and diplomatic solutions
Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf has called on the international community to “demand” players in the region abide by UN Security Council resolutions.
Speaking to Sky News, Mr Yousaf said he “condemns” Iran’s attempted attack on Israel as he has “all and every regional escalation”.
“There is not going to be a military solution to the conflict we see in the Middle East, there is only going to be a political and diplomatic solution,” he said.
“We know that violence begets violence and therefore it’s imperative now that the international community demand – not request, but demand – that all parties abide by UN security resolutions, such as a call for an immediate ceasefire (in Gaza).”
The First Minister added: “We can’t afford to see any more loss of life, because innocent civilians have already had to pay far too high a price for the actions of a number of countries and therefore we need to see de-escalation as opposed to further escalation in the region.”
Athena Stavrou14 April 2024 14:22 1713100588Netherlands advises against all travel to Israel
he Dutch government on Sunday advised against all travel to Israel due to the uncertain security situation following overnight air strikes by Iran.
“Iran and a number of allies carried out airstrikes against Israel with missiles and drones. It cannot be ruled out that further attacks may follow,” the Foreign Ministry said in an updated travel advisory.
Athena Stavrou14 April 2024 14:16 1713095437Watch: Circle of knowledge on Middle East conflict has to be very tight, says Tory minister
Tory minister Victoria Atkins has said the “circle of knowledge” on the conflict in the Middle East has to be “very, very tight”, as G7 leaders hold urgent talks after Iran launched an unprecedented attack on Israel.
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.
Ms Atkins was asked whether the Cabinet was consulted before RAF planes were deployed to protect Israel agains the Iran attack when she appeared on BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme today.
She replied: “Of course there are relevant Cabinet ministers in that (Cobra) meeting.”
Circle of knowledge on Middle East conflict has to be very tight, says Tory minister
Tory minister Victoria Atkins has said the “circle of knowledge” on the conflict in the Middle East has to be “very, very tight”, as G7 leaders hold urgent talks after Iran launched an unprecedented attack on Israel. Rishi Sunak is expected to join US President Joe Biden on the call on Sunday (14 April) amid fears of further escalation in the event of a possible Israeli counter-strike. Ms Atkins was asked whether the Cabinet was consulted before RAF planes were deployed to protect Israel against the Iran attack when she appeared on BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme today. She replied: “Of course, there are relevant Cabinet ministers in that (Cobra) meeting.”
Lucy Leeson14 April 2024 12:50 1713095024Iran notified neighbours of strikes
Iran notified its neighbours of its strikes on Israel 72 hours in advance, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said on Sunday.
“About 72 hours prior to our operations, we informed our friends and neighbours in the region that Iran’s response against Israel was certain, legitimate, and irrevocable,” Amirabdollahian said at a press conference.
Athena Stavrou14 April 2024 12:43 1713094344Sunak says Iran ‘determined to sew discord’ in ‘their own back yard'
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said of Iran’s attack on Israel: “This was a dangerous and unnecessary attack.”
“It’s clear that Iran is determined to sew discord” in the region “in their own back yard”, he added.
“If (the attack was) successful the fallout for regional stability would be hard to overstate.”
Athena Stavrou14 April 2024 12:32 1713093776Sunak chairs Cobra meeting ahead of G7 meeting this afternoon
Rishi Sunak said he chaired a Cobra meeting with Cabinet ministers on Friday to “agree a plan of action” over Iran’s attack on Israel, as the Prime Minister confirmed additional RAF pilots were sent to the region.
He said the UK already has a military presence in the Middle East as part of its operations against the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
Mr Sunak said he will be meeting with G7 leaders later this afternoon.
Athena Stavrou14 April 2024 12:22 1713093749Sunak confirms RAF shot down Iranian drones
Speaking from Downing Street, Rishi Sunak said: “I want to pay tribute to the bravery of our pilots.”
He said lives were saved “not just in Israel, but in neighbouring countries such as Jordan as well”.
“I can confirm that our pilots did shoot down a number of Iranian attack drones.”
He said Iran sent both missiles and attack drones and did not specify how many were shot down by RAF forces.
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”.
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