a warm welcome to the programme. i'm at mark labelle. breaking news this hour: state television in iran has reported big explosions near an army base and airport in the central city of isfahan, activating local air defence systems. blasts have also been reported in the country's northwest. video online shows iranian defence missiles being fired into the air. commercial flights have been diverting around iranian airspace. iranian media reports say that nuclear installations near isfahan are "totally secure". explosions have also been reported in southern syria from missiles apparently targeting radar sites; and in the iraqi capital baghdad, and babil province to the south. the israeli military said it had no comment at present, but two us officials have told cbs news that an israeli missile has hit iran. the explosions came

after israel promised to respond to a drone and missile attack conducted by iran on saturday night against israel. with me is mohamed taha from bbc arabic. mohammed, obviously the news is developing as we sit here. from what we know at the moment, we have only heard that this is an israeli strike from two us officials, not on the record, speaking to our partner station, cbs news, and the target was isfahan. tell us why thatis target was isfahan. tell us why that is significant.— that is significant. isfahan has a nuclear— that is significant. isfahan has a nuclear facility, - that is significant. isfahan has a nuclear facility, so l that is significant. isfahan | has a nuclear facility, so if has a nuclearfacility, so if this news is right, this is in retaliation from israel to the earlier attack from aranha against israel, that massive attack. from what we see of that news there is an attack on syria, an attack on iraq at the

same time, so we are facing, like, a complicated attack, if that's against iranian facilities in the region —— iran. but on the iranian side they deny that, they say all what happened, that iranian air defence managed to down three drones in the air of isfahan, they say it is a local attack, not from outside, and they are hinting that some groups that are loyal to israel that might have done this attack. they do not say this attack is coming from outside, from a missile from outside, from a missile from outside. and the israeli silence on that and no confirmation from the israeli side, no confirmation from the countries in the region that

there might be a missile attack and we saw f—16 or f 35 is flying to do the attack, the lack of information about the nature of the attack that makes this two versions of the story between the americans, who are saying it is a missile attack and the iranians who are saying we are right, it is a local contained attack is making us have lots of questions. 50 have lots of questions. so interesting _ have lots of questions. 50 interesting that have lots of questions. so interesting that the iranians not saying the same as the us officials that spoke to cbs news. at the moment a comment from the israelis. so this could have been a missile attack and we're seeing de—escalation, people not stalking it up. in de-escalation, people not stalking it up.— de-escalation, people not stalking it up. in iran, yes, we can see _ stalking it up. in iran, yes, we can see they're - stalking it up. in iran, yes, we can see they're putting | we can see they're putting pictures on air from isfahan

that life is normally happening, there is nothing, they're talking about retaliation, they are not mentioning israel at all. they're trying to assess what is the situation. they didn't talk about any injured people orany talk about any injured people or any facilities that are hit. they are just talking about three drones that they managed to down and they are saying this is a local event.- to down and they are saying this is a local event. 0k, stay riaht this is a local event. 0k, stay right there- — let's speak with former state department correspondent for cbs news christina ruffini. christina, what are you hearing?— christina, what are you hearin: ? �* ., , ., hearing? i'm hearing similar. i've restarted _ hearing? i'm hearing similar. i've restarted several- hearing? i'm hearing similar. i've restarted several israeli l i've restarted several israeli sources _ i've restarted several israeli sources and they have also been commenting now, which in itself is telling, — commenting now, which in itself is telling, they're letting the story— is telling, they're letting the story rollout on own. as for us officials, — story rollout on own. as for us officials, it's pretty late here, _ officials, it's pretty late here, have reached a few at their— here, have reached a few at their home and on and off the record — their home and on and off the record they are just kind of waiting _ record they are just kind of waiting i_ record they are just kind of waiting. i think we are all kind _ waiting. i think we are all kind of— waiting. i think we are all kind of waiting to see exactly the response. they think it is

significant that iran seems to be downplaying this straight, which — be downplaying this straight, which makes the argument that we could — which makes the argument that we could be moving towards de—escalation and that israel common— de—escalation and that israel common sense, shows not to hit population— common sense, shows not to hit population centres, joe zee had military— population centres, joe zee had military bases, there could be a possibility this could be one and done _ a possibility this could be one and done. obviously we will have — and done. obviously we will have to _ and done. obviously we will have to see what the rhetoric is coming _ have to see what the rhetoric is coming out of tehran in the morning _ is coming out of tehran in the morning. what we are seeing so far is— morning. what we are seeing so far is there _ morning. what we are seeing so far is there are reports of fussy, _ far is there are reports of fussy, i'm am relying on others to analyse _ fussy, i'm am relying on others to analyse for me. it seems that— to analyse for me. it seems that they— to analyse for me. it seems that they took care of it there was _ that they took care of it there was a — that they took care of it there was a major damage, they are strategically downplaying the strike — strategically downplaying the strike and that in itself is very— strike and that in itself is very telling and hopefully a side — very telling and hopefully a side that this could de—escalate and not continue to spiral— de—escalate and not continue to spiral from here. de—escalate and not continue to spiralfrom here. —— farsi. we spiralfrom here. -- farsi. we were hearing _ spiralfrom here. —— farsi. - were hearing from a source reporting to writers that the americans were tipped off that something could happen. yeah, us officials _ something could happen. yeah, us officials have _ something could happen. yeah, us officials have been _ something could happen. yeah, us officials have been telling i us officials have been telling outlets — us officials have been telling outlets that they were informed of it in — outlets that they were informed of it in advance. if you remember, the us told israel

that they would not support retaliation in this incident and — retaliation in this incident and they wanted, they said take the win, — and they wanted, they said take the win, basically, you had all these — the win, basically, you had all these drones coming at you, 99% were _ these drones coming at you, 99% were shot — these drones coming at you, 99% were shot down. you show your power, — were shot down. you show your power. you _ were shot down. you show your power, you don't need to retaliate. and obviously israel went — retaliate. and obviously israel went ahead and did that anyway. so that— went ahead and did that anyway. so that is— went ahead and did that anyway. so that is a conversation that is going — so that is a conversation that is going to be had in a lot of rooms— is going to be had in a lot of rooms tomorrow, whether the us is losing — rooms tomorrow, whether the us is losing any semblance of influence over israel's military decisions and where this goes from here. again, irah's— this goes from here. again, iran's response will be paramount in that situation and whether— paramount in that situation and whether they want to de—escalate, orwhetherthis de—escalate, or whether this spirals — de—escalate, or whether this spirals into de—escalate, orwhetherthis spirals into a larger war. i think— spirals into a larger war. i think been very clear throughout these past weeks and months _ throughout these past weeks and months tensions have been incredibly high but iran does not want _ incredibly high but iran does not want a war with the us and the us— not want a war with the us and the us does not want a war with had _ the us does not want a war with had so — the us does not want a war with iran. so hopefully colin hesse can prevail. iran. so hopefully colin hesse can prevail-— can prevail. that is perhaps wh we can prevail. that is perhaps why we are _ can prevail. that is perhaps why we are not _ can prevail. that is perhaps why we are not hearing - can prevail. that is perhaps - why we are not hearing anything from the pentagon in the states

at the moment, they don't want to add to any more rhetoric. they don't. and, you know, the us likes — they don't. and, you know, the us likes to— they don't. and, you know, the us likes to wait until the full scope — us likes to wait until the full scope of— us likes to wait until the full scope of this strike has been found — scope of this strike has been found out— scope of this strike has been found out —— weight. they want to see — found out —— weight. they want to see with— found out —— weight. they want to see with the damage was, what — to see with the damage was, what the _ to see with the damage was, what the toll was before they are going to react. obviously this wasn't a us carried out straight _ this wasn't a us carried out straight. pentagon sources have said that — straight. pentagon sources have said that they want to make it very— said that they want to make it very clear— said that they want to make it very clear that the us did not assist — very clear that the us did not assist in _ very clear that the us did not assist in the strike, this was an israeii _ assist in the strike, this was an israeli operation, so they are probably going to let the political and physical dust settie _ political and physical dust settle before coming out to make — settle before coming out to make remarks. also keep in mind, — make remarks. also keep in mind, it— make remarks. also keep in mind, it is— make remarks. also keep in mind, it is midnight here, we are att— mind, it is midnight here, we are atiup, _ mind, it is midnight here, we are allup, but mind, it is midnight here, we are all up, but you're not going _ are all up, but you're not going to _ are all up, but you're not going to see anyone from a podium _ going to see anyone from a podium until tomorrow and by that time _ podium until tomorrow and by that time they probably will have — that time they probably will have decided little bit more what — have decided little bit more what tactic they want to take these — what tactic they want to take these don howe the samples in these don howe the samples in the hours — these don howe the samples in the hours to come. us these don howe the samples in the hours to come.— the hours to come. us forces are based — the hours to come. us forces are based on _ the hours to come. us forces are based on the _ the hours to come. us forces are based on the middle - the hours to come. us forces| are based on the middle east, so a guess american —— the government would be concerned with their safety as well. that

is something _ with their safety as well. that is something they _ with their safety as well. that is something they have - with their safety as well. that is something they have been concerned about since 7 october, especially in iraq and syria — october, especially in iraq and syria. embassy in iraq was actually— syria. embassy in iraq was actually evacuated in the middle _ actually evacuated in the middle of the night, which is realty— middle of the night, which is really rare, normally when the us wiii— really rare, normally when the us will sources out of an embassy there is a law that says— embassy there is a law that says they have to notify the public — says they have to notify the public because of america's putting _ public because of america's pulling his diplomats out of a country — pulling his diplomats out of a country that means there is enough _ country that means there is enough of a risk to americans that— enough of a risk to americans that all— enough of a risk to americans that all americans need to know and they— that all americans need to know and they warned it, but they want — and they warned it, but they want in _ and they warned it, but they want in this very broad way and then— want in this very broad way and then kind — want in this very broad way and then kind of secretly pulled forces _ then kind of secretly pulled forces out in the middle of the night — forces out in the middle of the night and _ forces out in the middle of the night and they did that because they were so worried about the security — they were so worried about the security of that operation and getting — security of that operation and getting those diplomats out there — getting those diplomats out there safely. that embassy is jill there safely. that embassy is jitt mand _ there safely. that embassy is jill mand and i have been in contact _ jill mand and i have been in contact in the last couple of weeks — contact in the last couple of weeks with a sin that embassy and they— weeks with a sin that embassy and they are not getting a lot of steed _ and they are not getting a lot of sleep. they are very concerned, every time this spirals _ concerned, every time this spirals up, us installations in iran— spirals up, us installations in iran and _ spirals up, us installations in iran and syria, carriers in —— irag— iran and syria, carriers in —— irag and— iran and syria, carriers in —— iraq and syria, it is very tense _ iraq and syria, it is very tense as— iraq and syria, it is very tense as military personnel and the pentagon has been talking about— the pentagon has been talking about how to further secure or move — about how to further secure or move the _ about how to further secure or move the troops out of harms way _ move the troops out of harms way and — move the troops out of harms

way and tonight certainly isn't to make — way and tonight certainly isn't to make that conversation any easier — to make that conversation any easier. . ., ' easier. christina ruffini, thank you _ let's get the latest from our north america correspondent will vernon. will, it's early morning where you are. what are you hearing in relation to these reported explosions in iran? it is late here, it is midnight. what we know so far, mark, is that two us officials have confirmed to the bbc�*s partner in the us, cbs news, that an israeli missile hit iran. that's about the extent of it so far. we don't have any more details, we don't know the scale of the scope of this response, but we have heard from several iranian sources, local media, several government agencies who say that the air defences have been activated in the country, there have been some sort of explosions in isfahan region and that the airspace is closed over tehran and several other cities.

that's about the extent of what we know at the moment. but if we know at the moment. but if we kind of rewind a bit to how we kind of rewind a bit to how we got here, back on i april there was an air strike on an iranian embassy building in damascus in syria that killed a senior iranian military official stop it is widely believed that israel was responsible for that airstrike. and then in response to that iran launched an unprecedented large—scale attack on israel, directly onto israel last sunday, over 300 missiles and drones fired at the country and over 99% of those shot down by israel and other allies. and following that attack, which was condemned by the us and other allies, following that attack there was all kinds of diplomatic manoeuvring, communication going on, conversations, us and other allies basically calling for restraint, right, trying to rein in the israelis. we know that president biden had a conversation with the israeli

prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, in which he essentially said that america would not support any direct military strike on iran. we understand mr bidons said something along the lines of this is a win for you. he said that the israelis managed to repel this attack with you success stop there may themselves look strong. have made iran look weak because there attack fails. you know, pocket that win and leave it at that. and we also know that a little earlier us defence secretary, lloyd austin, spoke by phone to his israeli counterpart, according to the pentagon they discussed regional threats and iran's destabilising actions in the middle east. i'm sure in that phone call or perhaps by another channel of communication, the israelis inform the americans about this retaliation they were planning against iran. again, we don't know the details of that, we don't know how large it was,

whether it is ongoing, or whether it is ongoing, or whether that was the extent of it. we have to wait and see in the coming hours. i think what is the key question now will be is the key question now will be is will there be any response from iran? great. the iranian foreign minister gave an interview to cnn just a few hours ago saying that if israel did strike iran, then the response would be immediate and as a maximum level. it's a very dangerous moment. let as a maximum level. it's a very dangerous moment.— as a maximum level. it's a very dangerous moment. let us have a listen to the _ dangerous moment. let us have a listen to the foreign _ dangerous moment. let us have a listen to the foreign minister - listen to the foreign minister from iran speaking earlier, before reports of this israeli missile strike, speaking at the un thursday evening in the states. let's have a listen. translation: in states. let's have a listen. translation:— states. let's have a listen. translation: ., , translation: in case of any use of force by _ translation: in case of any use of force by the — translation: in case of any use of force by the israeli _ translation: in case of any use of force by the israeli regime - of force by the israeli regime and violating our sovereignty, the islamic republic of iran will not hesitate to assert its inherent right to give a decisive and proper response to it to make the regime regret

its actions. it to make the regime regret its actions-— it to make the regime regret its actions. 0k. will, we were talkin: its actions. 0k. will, we were talking about _ its actions. 0k. will, we were talking about retaliation. - talking about retaliation. there has been talk this morning speculating that iran wouldn't be able to necessarily retaliate in the same way that those drugs came on saturday, but maybe would use a proxy. a guess that's where us officials will be watching very closely. absolutely. and that's one of the options on the table, isn't it, if we are considering, you know, the various choices around who has got if it chooses to retaliate against israel for this. chooses to retaliate against israel forthis. it chooses to retaliate against israel for this. it has the option of using one of its many proxies in the region, the most powerful of all, of course, is hezbollah in lebanon. we know there is that ongoing conflicts between israel and hezbollah since october the seventh, there have been missiles and other munitions flying backwards and forwards almost constantly. i think that is one of the nightmare scenarios for

officials here in washington who, eversince officials here in washington who, ever since 7 october, when israel was attacked by hamas, the beginning of the war in gaza, officials have been incredibly concerned that a situation like we are seeing unfolding today and over the past few days would happen. that is that israel and iran, other perhaps regional players as well, would be dragged into some sort of escalate three tit—for—tat retaliatory conflict which could then spark, ignite a larger regional war. and, of course, the us guarantees israel's security, is a firm back of israel, and the concern is that america could get embroiled in some sort of conflict. so i think this is an incredibly dangerous moment in the middle east and i think us officials will be working hard now, via their

diplomatic channels, to de—escalate the situation and ensure that this doesn't spiral out of control. mil ensure that this doesn't spiral out of control.— out of control. all right. they know you _ out of control. all right. they know you have _ out of control. all right. they know you have to _ out of control. all right. they know you have to rush. - out of control. all right. they | know you have to rush. thank you joining us. to recap, we bring you news that two us officials have told cbs news that anne israeli missile has struck central iran. we are waiting to find out exactly what has happened in and around isfahan and we are looking very closely at whether the israelis are going to comment on the record about what's happened and the iranians for their part are saying very little about what's happened. saying that those reports of an israeli missile are not true. let me bring you an interview earlier with mark kimmitt, a former us assistant secretary of state for political and military affairs who spoke to my colleague carl nasman. if this is true, it says that

israel is attacking the isfahan nuclear facility, israel is attacking the isfahan nuclearfacility, three nuclear facility, three reactors there nuclearfacility, three reactors there that form the concrete for the fourth reactor, isfahan really is to a great extent the centre of the iranian nuclear programme both in terms of training, research and in fact what some would say the development of the nuclear capability. it is a likely site that israel would hit because again the greatest fear of israelis have is not continued missiles today but a nuclear capability tomorrow. irate missiles today but a nuclear capability tomorrow. we have had of course _ capability tomorrow. we have had of course several - capability tomorrow. we have had of course several times, | had of course several times, not only from us presidentjoe biden, several world leaders telling israel to make sure to mediate any response if there is a retaliation do not take it too far. would an attack on an area of iran that has nuclear facilities fall into that category, or would that be a

massive escalation in this tit—for—tat conflict? in massive escalation in this tit-for-tat conflict? in the e es tit-for-tat conflict? in the eyes of — tit-for-tat conflict? in the eyes of the _ tit-for-tat conflict? in the eyes of the israelis - tit-for-tat conflict? in the eyes of the israelis and i tit-for-tat conflict? in the - eyes of the israelis and minds of israelis, yes, that's an escalation, but how are they going to respond? it's clear that last week iran shot enough of its long—range missiles that they do not effectively have a second strike capability anymore. so if there is a response that comes out of iran with the capabilities that we are aware of, it would have to be done by proxies, they don't have the drones nor do they have the drones nor do they have the drones nor do they have the missiles to make a significant second strike on israel. ~ ., significant second strike on israel. ~ . , ., significant second strike on israel. ~ ., .,~ significant second strike on israel. ., ., israel. what you make of the timin: israel. what you make of the timing of _ israel. what you make of the timing of this _ israel. what you make of the timing of this missile - israel. what you make of the timing of this missile strike? j timing of this missile strike? is it only coming a few days, five days after iran said that barrage into israel, is that sooner than you have expected? it's actually later than what i would have expected, i would have expected the israelis to hit hard, hit early and hit

fast. i understand there were some political deliberations that held us up a bit, but if israel is trying to reset deterrence and send a strong message to iran, this is actually a little bit later that i would have expected them to respond. the that i would have expected them to respond-— to respond. the us of course as we said, to respond. the us of course as we said. very — to respond. the us of course as we said, very vocal _ to respond. the us of course as we said, very vocal and - to respond. the us of course as we said, very vocal and saying l we said, very vocal and saying israel should be careful here, but also saying it would not participate in any sort of israeli retaliatory action against iran. does it look to you here that israel went it alone? it you here that israel went it alone? .., , , alone? it could very well be the case — alone? it could very well be the case but _ alone? it could very well be the case but we _ alone? it could very well be the case but we won't - alone? it could very well be the case but we won't knowj the case but we won't know until we start seeing the bomb damage assessment, until we get more information. i think it is premature to make that determination. i would premature to make that determination. iwould be surprised if we didn't at least provide some intelligence or particularly from our satellites and our ever had,

but i want to wait until we see more and hear more before i make that determination. irate more and hear more before i make that determination. we are heafina make that determination. we are hearing now _ make that determination. we are hearing now from _ make that determination. we are hearing now from the _ make that determination. we are hearing now from the afp - hearing now from the afp newsagency, i want to bring you this line reaching up to the israeli military and officials there saying, quote, we do not have comment at this time. now we know that when iran washed attacks on israel, these are very much telegraphed in advance, we had maybe hours ahead of time that iran planned on launching some sort of strike on israel. it is noteworthy at all to you that we haven't really had any confirmation yet from israel one way or the other about what's been taking place? yes but for different _ what's been taking place? yes but for different reasons. many people say that one of the reasons that the iranians had to respond to the killing of the irg see officials inside of syria was for the first time in a long time the israeli started

announcing their activities. when you start announcing that to the real world, that sort of inspires and almost requires a response on the part of your adversary. this notion of no comment seems to go back into the long—standing policy of the iranians to admit nothing, to accept nothing and to explain nothing. which is i'm glad to see that they have gone back to that if they are doing that because in many ways that lack of information, that lack of lustre actually comes down this generation of it. i lustre actually comes down this generation of it.— generation of it. i want to go back to something _ generation of it. i want to go back to something you - generation of it. i want to go back to something you said l back to something you said earlier where we believe this is really missile strike took place is in the isfahan —— israeli. what more do we know about the area and you mentioned this could be a target that would involve some sort of nuclear facility in iran? ., ,

sort of nuclear facility in iran? . , ., , iran? certainly, anybody can aet iran? certainly, anybody can net on iran? certainly, anybody can get on the — iran? certainly, anybody can get on the internet - iran? certainly, anybody can get on the internet and - iran? certainly, anybody can get on the internet and look| iran? certainly, anybody can i get on the internet and look up the isfahan. you'll see that it has been a long—standing nuclear target, a long—standing area of nuclear concern for both the israelis are primarily but the iea, iea in particular. i think it is generally accepted isfahan as that of ground zero, no pun intended, of the iranian nuclear programme. if you joining us on bbc news, letting you know what's going on. official iranian media are reporting explosions in several iranian cities, including isfahan. there are also reports of blasts in iraq and syria. us officials say an israeli missile has hit iran, but the iranians are downplaying the scale of what's happened. let's speak to patricia degennaro, who is a global affairs

and geopolitical analyst. the iranian and israeli conflict has been going on for a long time but why is this so different?— different? this is so different because it — different? this is so different because it is _ different? this is so different because it is blatantly - different? this is so different because it is blatantly hourly| because it is blatantly hourly open and they are not hiding behind clandestine activities or behind proxies —— out in the open. each has taken it upon themselves to launch attacks but i think it's been a long time coming. we know for years the israelis have been trying to top the us —— talk of the us it is striking iran and in many ways, especially the nuclear facility and to get rid of that risk from the israelis. we also have seen iran be kind of patient with his clandestine activities, assassinations of a lot of their nuclear physicists, also they've been

bombing various targets specifically in syria and i think this latest bombing direct bombing of the consulate, the iranian consulate, the iranian consulate and top ircg members really put the iranians between a rock and a hard place and they felt the need to make some kind of statement because as we know, an attack on an embassy is similar to know, an attack on an embassy is similarto an know, an attack on an embassy is similar to an attack on your country. so i think the iranians have kind of lost their patients and decided they are going to take this had on. but it is very, very concerning because we know we have at least one nuclear power and we are still not certain about the other one as far as the ryan burrows. other one as far as the ryan lburrows-— other one as far as the ryan burrows. , �* ., burrows. president biden had told lsrael — burrows. president biden had told israel to quote _ burrows. president biden had told israel to quote unquote l told israel to quote unquote take the win when the iranian

attack on israel was foiled, 99% as it were, the cruise missiles, the ballistic missiles, the ballistic missiles and drones. why do you think it took israel so long to respond if this is so out the open? i respond if this is so out the 0 en? ~' ., ., “ respond if this is so out the oen? ~' , ., open? i think it took israel so lona to open? i think it took israel so long to respond _ open? i think it took israel so long to respond because - open? i think it took israel so long to respond because it's i long to respond because it's been getting a lot of pressure and visits from various western countries including germany and a lot of pressure from the us as was noted in several of the previous conversations. so they decided that they had to do this, but i think that the israelis may feel that this was not an outright win. they have been targeted in three particular areas, been targeted in three particularareas, iran been targeted in three particular areas, iran was able to hit three of their military sites. iran was also able to get some intelligence from this particular activity.

get some intelligence from this particularactivity. it get some intelligence from this particular activity. it let everyone know it was coming and drones came in and the missiles came in at acted on its own, so i think this was very strategic for iran in a lot of ways that it was able to get a lot of intelligence from the israeli strategies and military responses that happened including the jets responses that happened including thejets that rallied and went after some of the joint activity and also some of the missile activity. i am sure the missile activity. i am sure the israelis are not particularly convinced that this is a fallout win for them. in which case, do you think the iranians who are so far downplaying what we understand to is really missile it struck isfahan, do you think, do you read into that they may not escalate, they want to return this did not happen —— mark is really strict strike. i this did not happen -- mark is really strict strike.— really strict strike. i don't read into _ really strict strike. i don't read into that _ really strict strike. i don't read into that they - really strict strike. i don't read into that they won'tl read into that they won't

escalate, i read it as a typical iran in response, whether they will look at their strategic capabilities and options and capacities and they mayjust options and capacities and they may just wait a little options and capacities and they mayjust wait a little bit options and capacities and they may just wait a little bit and be patient, but i don't think this is going to be a standout for them. this is going to be a standout forthem. it this is going to be a standout for them. it may be looking like that for some time, but remember, this is also their security and their sovereignty and they can't be seen as weak in the region either. so i think israel has to be very careful in this instance. it has been very active and are fighting against hezbollah in southern lebanon, its operations in damascus, its operations in damascus, its operations in damascus, its operations in gaza and the west bank as well which often we forget about, and they are diminishing a lot of their capabilities as far as manpower and strategic military assets

which the us is currently replenishing but is that a guarantee in the future? biden has said that if they want to start with iran, they are not going to support that. that remains to be seen even though he has claimed he is a staunch supporter and ally and will have their back for the future. —— for future threats. the afp newsagency is reporting that australia is telling its citizens to leave israel and the palestinian territories if it is safe to do so. you are saying that their options open to iran. what would those be in terms of retaliation?— terms of retaliation? they have rox terms of retaliation? they have proxy force _ terms of retaliation? they have proxy force across _ terms of retaliation? they have proxy force across the - terms of retaliation? they have proxy force across the region, i proxy force across the region, that's no secret, everyone knows that. so those forces, if they were, if iran decided on another bombardment, could also

be used. it may be patient and wait for the israelis to get a little more tired and diminished capacity and military, like i said earlier, the manpower. so these are very high level strategic thought processes and i think both governments are going through and the israelis are putting themselves in a precarious position, so i really think that they've been talking on both these operations against the palestinians and iran, and this is very concerning and i am not sure that they will stand down and i think we run will be more patient in deciding its next move. [30 will be more patient in deciding its next move. do you read anything _ deciding its next move. do you read anything into _ deciding its next move. do you read anything into the - deciding its next move. do you read anything into the fact - read anything into the fact that we have not heard from is really so far? == that we have not heard from is really so far?— really so far? -- israelis. no, the us has made _ really so far? -- israelis. no, the us has made statements| the us has made statements already so it is clear that

they knew the operation would go through. so i think they are probably deciding how they want to communicate and what kind of spin they want to put on this particular attack, spin they want to put on this particularattack, but spin they want to put on this particular attack, but that will be remain to be sent. both parties tend to be quiet often after an operation, only to see what their strategic possibilities can be for the next steps and also to see what the outcome and before results are and the damage that has occurred from this strike and the other operation next time. patricia degennaro, thank you forjoining us. we are reporting on the news reported to our partner cvst is from — to us officials that an israeli missile has struck isfahan and they are downplaying the incident. we also have news of strikes in syria and iraq. joining me as

mohamed taha who are sitting in the studio. just a step back for a moment, this is all moving incredibly quickly for people. of course this all started with a conflict on 7 october in israel and then israel's subsequent response in gaza. explain the links between iran and people in gaza. indeed, israel supporting —— supporting hamas, when the secretary general of hezbollah was speaking, he said without the iranian capabilities hamas would not reach that level of military. so it is obvious that iran is supporting hamas and hezbollah, and also the houthis in yemen. so they have these capabilities in the region. find capabilities in the region. and at the time — capabilities in the region. and at the time of _ capabilities in the region. and at the time of the _ capabilities in the region. and at the time of the 7 _ capabilities in the region. and at the time of the 7 october

the tax, iran seemed to be