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British forces “played their part” in attempts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East tonight, says defence secretary John Healey.

However, it’s not clear what role any UK forces played, or whether personnel were involved in shooting down any of the missiles fired by Iran at Israel – as US forces did. 

In a statement posted by the UK Ministry of Defence, Mr Healey condemned Iran’s attacks on Israel and thanked British personnel involved in the unspecified operations.

He said the UK “stands fully behind Israel’s right to defend its country”.

Israel could target Iranian nuclear facilities in response

Israel will likely respond to Iran’s attacks and could possibly target its nuclear facilities, says media analysts.

He says Israel will want to try to “restore its deterrence” over Iran, and suggests the response would be more targeted and widespread than its last retaliatory attack against Iran in April.

“I cannot foresee a scenario where Israel doesn’t respond to Iran’s attacks that happened over the last few hours,” says Bunkall.

 “And unlike what happened back in April when Israel hit an airbase deep into Iran, and it was pretty much covered up by the Iranian regime and everybody moved on and life continued, I’m not sure that, if Israel responds, it will be in that manner.

“I think it will be more targeted. They’ll be more widespread, possibly targeting their nuclear facilities. 

“I think we are on yet again a very dangerous precipice, a war that has threatened to spiral out of control is now heading towards that moment pretty rapidly.”

Iranian action over unless Israel responds, foreign minister says

Iran’s military action against Israel is over, according to the country’s foreign minister. 

Posting on X, Abbas Araghchi said Iran acted in “self-defence” with today’s attacks after previously “exercising tremendous restraint” to give space for a ceasefire in Gaza.

“Our action is concluded unless the Israeli regime decides to invite further retaliation,” he said. 

“In that scenario, our response will be stronger and more powerful.

“Israel’s enablers now have a heightened responsibility to rein in the warmongers in Tel Aviv instead of getting involved in their folly.”

Hezbollah’s chain of command ‘rehabilitated’ after Iran’s attack on Israel

A former Lebanese army general says today’s Iranian attacks on Israel will embolden Hezbollah and “rehabilitate” its chain of command.

Speaking to Sky News, Khalil Helou says he now expects an escalation of fighting in southern Lebanon after Israeli troops crossed the border yesterday to begin what it called “limited, localised and targeted” operations against Hezbollah.

“Hezbollah will feel emboldened,” he says. “They have now a higher morale than it was two days ago.

“I think the chain of command of Hezbollah is now rehabilitated, and I am expecting escalation in south Lebanon now with the Israeli incursions that are occurring now.”

What you need to know tonight

Iran has launched around 200 missiles into Israel tonight in an attack described by the Pentagon as “twice the scope” of a barrage in April.

Here are the main things you need to know if you’re just joining us:

• Iran has launched some 200 missiles into Israel tonight;
• The attack came in retaliation for Israel’s air and ground campaign against Tehran’s allies in Lebanon, and follows the assassinations of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in recent weeks;
• Israel has vowed a “painful response” against its enemy. 
• The order to launch came from Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, with an official warning Tehran was “fully ready for any retaliation” from Israel;
• Iran claims 90% of missiles hit their targets, but the Israel Defence Forces said they were “not aware” of any injuries, while the White House has dubbed the attack “ineffective”;
• A new type of hypersonic missile, dubbed the “Fattah”, was used by Tehran for the first time;
• Israelis have since been advised they can leave their shelters;
• Israel employed its famous Iron Dome defence system to shoot down missiles and also had help from US military forces in the region, after Joe Biden ordered them to intervene;
• Sir Keir Starmer would not be drawn on whether British military capabilities were used in the defence of Israel during a press conference;
• It emerged that the prime minister was on the phone with Benjamin Netanyahu when the attack began.