the husband of scotland's former first minister nicola sturgeon has been charged with embezzlement. peter murrell was the chief executive of the scottish national party. warnings over young children accessing social media, as new figures show nearly a quarter of under—sevens now own a smartphone, good morning from the north french coast. ., , ., , ' :: :: coast. volunteers have placed 1500 silhouettes here _ coast. volunteers have placed 1500 silhouettes here at _ coast. volunteers have placed 1500 silhouettes here at the _ coast. volunteers have placed 1500 silhouettes here at the british - silhouettes here at the british normandy memorial. all ahead of the 80th anniversary this summer of the d—day landings. aston villa are the only british team still standing in europe. and they need a penalty shoot out win, to reach the semi finals of the europa conference league. explosions have been reported in southern syria from missiles targeting baghdad. lls

southern syria from missiles targeting baghdad. southern syria from missiles tarauetin bauhdad. ,, . ., , ., targeting baghdad. us officials have told cbs news _ targeting baghdad. us officials have told cbs news that _ targeting baghdad. us officials have told cbs news that an _ targeting baghdad. us officials have told cbs news that an israeli - told cbs news that an israeli missile has hit iran. let's ta ke let's take people through what we heard three hours ago, reports on us media that two us officials had said there had been an israeli missile strike on iran. what have we heard from iriney on tv since then? iriney on tv as saying _ from iriney on tv since then? iriney on tv as saying there _ from iriney on tv since then? iriney on tv as saying there were - from iriney on tv since then? iriney on tv as saying there were three i on tv as saying there were three drones flying and that air defences managed to deal with the drones and

the explosions heard were due to that. they are saying everything is safe and nuclear facilities that. they are saying everything is safe and nuclearfacilities in that. they are saying everything is safe and nuclear facilities in the country are safe and life is normal and we heard that the regular commercial flights over iran started to happen again. isfahan is in the middle of the country, a very significant city, and the message that the iranians were saying, this was a local event, they denied there were any missiles involved and they are hinting that this happened by groups loyal to israel, some hints of that, orfrom

local activity inside the country somehow. local activity inside the country somehow— local activity inside the country somehow. , ., ., ., somehow. life is back to normal in isfahan but — somehow. life is back to normal in isfahan but the _ somehow. life is back to normal in isfahan but the situation _ somehow. life is back to normal in isfahan but the situation is - isfahan but the situation is anything but normal. the region itself is really on edge at the moment, and all of the proxies for iran and the situation between israel and gaza. we iran and the situation between israel and gaza.— iran and the situation between israel and gaza. we see a situation in the region _ israel and gaza. we see a situation in the region which _ israel and gaza. we see a situation in the region which is _ israel and gaza. we see a situation i in the region which is unprecedented where israel and iran for the first time exchanging attacks in one week. we never saw that in the last decades and the core of this exchange and conflict in gaza. the exchange and conflict in gaza. the exchange shifted attention between what is happening in gaza but what is happening in gaza is business as usual so there is an attack, israeli

attack, more than 70 people killed in israeli attacks all over gaza in the last 2a hours. the in israeli attacks all over gaza in the last 24 hours.— in israeli attacks all over gaza in the last 24 hours. the reports about the last 24 hours. the reports about the refugee — the last 24 hours. the reports about the refugee camp — the last 24 hours. the reports about the refugee camp attacked - the last 24 hours. the reports about the refugee camp attacked on - the last 24 hours. the reports about i the refugee camp attacked on tuesday reportedly. there are more stories coming through. that is something which is fuelling this specific conflict between israel and iran. is the core of the conflict, what is happening in gaza, the amount of humanitarian suffering happening there. the lack of food, shelter, and there is really planned operation in raffael, the israelis had a meeting with the americans discussing this operation, which might cause a massive amount of suffering for more than a million people who are camping in rafa from all over gaza, escaping the shelling

which is happening. if this attack happened in ra fa rafa -- rafa —— rafah. .. rafa -- rafah... what rafa -- rafah. .. what we see rafa -- rafah... what we see here... we will bring — rafa -- rafah... what we see here... we will bring you _ rafa -- rafah... what we see here... we will bring you some _ rafa -- rafah... what we see here... we will bring you some pictures - rafa -- rafah... what we see here... we will bring you some pictures now. | we will bring you some pictures now. these are pictures which were shot inside iran, i think they are from around isfahan. if we can get the sound this might be what people they were hearing overnight. this may have been an air defence system

firing back against possible drones or other objects in the sky. there or other ob'ects in the sky. there ma be or other ob'ects in the sky. there may be air— or other objects in the sky. there may be air defences. _ or other objects in the sky. there may be air defences. this - or other objects in the sky. there may be air defences. this mightl or other objects in the sky. ii—iiff may be air defences. this might be firing from drones themselves. it might be missiles but this is confirming an attack happened on the isfahan, this is what we saw overnight. they want to give the impression life as normal. they don't want to escalate this situation. the iranians have built their nuclear programme for a long time. they don't want to go for an open war with israel that they would see all of their nuclear facilities

being hit and everything the built over the years would be destroyed. they don't want this to happen. we believe that the israeli missile was striking this town of isfahan so explain to viewers why that is important. explain to viewers why that is important-— important. there are nuclear facilities but _ important. there are nuclear facilities but the _ important. there are nuclear facilities but the iranians - important. there are nuclear facilities but the iranians are | facilities but the iranians are saying it is safe and nothing happened the facilities. some are saying the missile hit a military airport in isfahan. we will try to understand what happened exactly. me understand what happened exactly. we see some pictures from 6am, i think. in military facility presumably in isfahan. it in military facility presumably in isfahan. ~'

in military facility presumably in isfahan. ,, ., isfahan. it looks like an, something similar. isfahan. it looks like an, something similar- this— isfahan. it looks like an, something similar. this is _ isfahan. it looks like an, something similar. this is confirming - isfahan. it looks like an, something similar. this is confirming the - similar. this is confirming the reports that it might be an airport. so a calmer situation. people reading into whether this is a limited strike, why the israelis have not spoken publicly about it yet, why it is being downplayed by iran. some analysis from an interview earlier. this was former us assistant secretary of state for political and military affairs speaking to my colleague. if political and military affairs speaking to my colleague. if this is true then it — speaking to my colleague. if this is true then it says _ speaking to my colleague. if this is true then it says that _ speaking to my colleague. if this is true then it says that israel - speaking to my colleague. if this is true then it says that israel is - true then it says that israel is attacking _ true then it says that israel is attacking the isfahan nuclear facility, _ attacking the isfahan nuclear facility, three reactors, they are pouring — facility, three reactors, they are pouring the concrete for the fourth one _ pouring the concrete for the fourth one. isfahan is the centre of the iriney— one. isfahan is the centre of the iriney nuclear programme, in terms of training, —

iriney nuclear programme, in terms of training, research and some would say development of nuclear capability. it is a likely place that— capability. it is a likely place that israel would hit because the greatest — that israel would hit because the greatest threat the israelis have is not continued missiles but nuclear capahility— not continued missiles but nuclear capability tomorrow. we have heard several world leaders telling israel to make sure to mediate any response, if there is a retaliation, cannot take it too far. would an attack on an area of iran that has nuclear facilities ball into that category, would that be a major escalation in this tit—for—tat conflict? in major escalation in this tit-for-tat conflict? , , ., conflict? in the eyes of the israelis. — conflict? in the eyes of the israelis, that _ conflict? in the eyes of the israelis, that would - conflict? in the eyes of the israelis, that would be - conflict? in the eyes of the israelis, that would be an l israelis, that would be an escalation. but how are they going to respond? it is clear that last week iran short enough of its long—range missiles that they do not

effectively have a second strike capability any more. 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 or the missiles to make a significant second strike on israel. what do you make of the timing of this reported missile strike? is this reported missile strike? is this only coming in a few days, five days after iran sent a barrage into israel, is that sooner than you might have expected? it is israel, is that sooner than you might have expected? it is later than i might have expected? it is later than i would _ might have expected? it is later than i would have _ might have expected? it is later than i would have expected, - might have expected? it is later than i would have expected, i i might have expected? it is later - than i would have expected, i would have expected the israelis to hit hard, early, and hit fast. i understand the deliberations that held this up but if israel is trying to reset deterrence and send a strong message to iran, this is a little bit later than they would have expected them to respond. the

us, as we said, very vocal in saying that israel should be careful, 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 alone? could very well be the case, but we won't know until we start seeing the assessment, and tommy get more information. it is a little premature to be making that determination. i would premature to be making that determination. iwould be premature to be making that determination. i would be surprised that we didn't at least provide some intelligence for them, particularly from our satellites and overhead, but i will wait until we see more, here more before i make that determination. istate here more before i make that determination.— here more before i make that determination. ~ ., ., ., determination. we are hearing now from the afp _ determination. we are hearing now from the afp news _ determination. we are hearing now from the afp news agency, - determination. we are hearing now from the afp news agency, want i determination. we are hearing nowj from the afp news agency, want to bring the new line, reaching out to the israeli military, officials they are saying, we do not have comment at this time. we know that when iran

launched its attacks on israel, these were very much telegraphed in advance, we heard many hours ahead of time that iran had planned on launching some sort of strike on israel. is it noteworthy to you that we haven't heard any confirmation yet from israel, one way or another, about what has taking place? yes. about what has taking place? yes, but for different _ about what has taking place? yes, but for different reasons. - about what has 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 irg officials inside 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 inspires end almost requires a response on the party 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, i'm glad to see they have gone back to that, if they are doing that, because in many ways that lack of information, lack of bluster actually tones down the situation a bit. t actually tones down the situation a bit. ., ., . ., actually tones down the situation a bit. ., ., _, . ~ actually tones down the situation a bit. ., ., . ~ ., bit. i want to come back to something _ bit. i want to come back to something you _ bit. i want to come back to something you said - bit. i want to come back to | something you said earlier, bit. i want to come back to - something you said earlier, where bit. i want to come back to _ something you said earlier, where we believe this is really missile strike took place is near isfahan, what more do we know about that area? you mentioned it could be a target that could involve a nuclear facility. target that could involve a nuclear facili . . , target that could involve a nuclear facili . ., , ., , facility. certainly, anybody can get on the internet _ facility. certainly, anybody can get on the internet and _ facility. certainly, anybody can get on the internet and look _ facility. certainly, anybody can get on the internet and look up - facility. certainly, anybody can get i on the internet and look up isfahan, you will see it has been a long—standing nuclear target, a long—standing nuclear target, a long—standing area of nuclear concern for both the israelis primarily, but the iea, iea in

particular. i think it is generally accepted isfahan as sort of ground zero, no pant intended, of the iranian nuclear programme —— pun intended. marker speaking just after news of this missile strike. with me is mohamed taha from bbc arabic. we have had a direct denial of a missile attack from the iranian space agency officials on social media. they say that iran, there has been no error attack outside borders of isfahan, he said israel had only made a failed and humiliating attempt to fly copters are drones, and they have also been shot down. iranian state media has reportedly said that defence systems were

activated in several areas of the country overnight to engage possible targets but no reports of any direct impact or explosions and its facilities including its nuclear facilities including its nuclear facilities are safe. interesting big name check israel.— facilities are safe. interesting big name check israel. indeed, we see the difference _ name check israel. indeed, we see the difference between _ name check israel. indeed, we see the difference between these - name check israel. indeed, we see the difference between these two l the difference between these two stories, it is clear the us official, the american officials are saying it is a missile attack, launched from israel, and now the iranians say there drones, small drones launched from inside iran. so this is the iranian version of events. in between them, the israelis are silent. it is very interesting now for us to know what exactly happened. is it a missile launch from israel? what copters launched from inside iran? how are they launched with michael launched them from inside iran? what is the location that has been used? and in

between those two stories the israelis are silent. istate between those two stories the israelis are silent.— between those two stories the israelis are silent. we are hoping to no live israelis are silent. we are hoping to go live to _ israelis are silent. we are hoping to go live to israel— israelis are silent. we are hoping to go live to israel shortly, - israelis are silent. we are hoping to go live to israel shortly, and i israelis are silent. we are hoping. to go live to israel shortly, and we will get the latest from their correspondent who we will speak to soon, but first i would like to speak to andrew thomas, lecturer in international relations. at deakin university. where do we stand now? we are lookin: , where do we stand now? we are looking. it _ where do we stand now? we are looking. it is _ where do we stand now? we are looking, it is clear— where do we stand now? we are looking, it is clear iran _ where do we stand now? we are looking, it is clear iran is - where do we stand now? we are looking, it is clear iran is looking for an off—road, based on what you guys were saying before, which is iran is basically confirming nothing, denying nothing. but it is trying to count or at least put the information out there that it doesn't believe that israel was necessarily responsible for this. on the one hand, the us has come out and said that it is, however it is quite clear that iran does not want

to escalate this conflict any further. saying that these drones were launched within iran. that to me says that iran wants to, once a plausible deniability of who actually orchestrated the strike. that is quite telling in the way that they have described it, which is that the strike was humiliating. which means that it is saying that it doesn't necessarily have to respond. which again is in line with the fact that iran doesn't necessarily want another tit—for—tat, that it wants to end this escalation where it is right now. ~ ., ., ~ ., now. what do you think other ossible now. what do you think other possible scenarios _ now. what do you think other possible scenarios from - now. what do you think other| possible scenarios from here? now. what do you think other. possible scenarios from here? it possible scenarios from here? ht does depend a lot on what the damage is, we really don't know exactly what damage was caused by the strike. we do know that commercial flights have resumed, which is a sign that there wasn't a lot of

damage. it is quite clear i think that people have been right to assume that the attack on isfahan was chosen because of the reactor, which is a nuclear reactor, but the strike itself wasn't on the reactor, at least that we know of at this stage. so i think really the ball as it is with a lot of these exchanges, the ball is in iran's court as to how it responds. but i think what we will see is iran stepping away from the break, tempted to running pretty hot, and we saw even in the weeks leading up to this that even the us was very reticent detail israel that it shouldn't respond to iran's attack. we saw this on biden's phone call to netanyahu to tell him to take the win for killing that iranian general.— take the win for killing that iranian general. take the win for killing that iranian reneral. . .., , iranian general. the americans were told ahead of— iranian general. the americans were told ahead of attack _ iranian general. the americans were told ahead of attack but _ iranian general. the americans were told ahead of attack but resident - told ahead of attack but resident biden has made it clear that this

really should be the end of it. yes. really should be the end of it. yes, the us definitely _ really should be the end of it. yes, the us definitely does _ really should be the end of it. yes the us definitely does not want to be drawn into this conflict, certainlyjoe biden doesn't want to be drawn into it any further in an election year. but it is quite clear that israel is making decisions on its own, it is telling the us what its own, it is telling the us what it is doing at this point. there was some speculation that a delay in the attack on iran would be used as leveraged for a ground offensive in rafah. that doesn't seem to be the case. israel has, according to the us, attack iran as a direct response from is attack the other day. andrew, thank you. let's speak to yolande knell who's injerusalem.

news that the us embassy in israel is telling its employees and families to restrict movements, australia has told its citizens that they should leave if it is safe to do so. what is the mood like there? of course things are tense and people are waiting to find out details of exactly what has happened. what the repercussions of that are going to be. at the moment it is still not clear. the israeli military is declining to comment, when we ask it if it has carried out the strikes inside iran. the israeli media, not the first time, really picking up on the different foreign media reports about what has happened. the new york times quoting unnamed israeli official saying that these were israeli strikes in iran. you also have other us outlets quoting us official saying something similar. really it does seem at the

moment that perhaps this is a more limited response. certainly not on the scale of the 300 plus attack drones and missiles that were launched at israel in the early hours, that reached israel last weekend, several of them hitting an airbase, 99% down outside israeli territory by israel and its allies, the us, uk, france,jordan. territory by israel and its allies, the us, uk, france, jordan. so could this be the end of it? not really clear at the moment. as israel many preparing for thejewish passover holiday coming up in the next few days, as they are schools are off, many people are off work, they are waiting to find out what is going to happen, is this a state of uncertainty that is going to continue? could debbie and escalation in the region or will this be the end of it? istate escalation in the region or will

this be the end of it?- this be the end of it? we are iecin: this be the end of it? we are piecing what _ this be the end of it? we are piecing what is _ this be the end of it? we are piecing what is happening i this be the end of it? we are - piecing what is happening together from sources because the israelis are not speaking about this publicly, so we know about this is really missile strike because of us officials telling us. we have reports about strikes in syria and iraq also. people are looking up with that iran will respond but is this the end of it from an israeli point of view? could there be further strikes in retaliation for what happened in israel five days ago? that what happened in israel five days auo? �* , what happened in israel five days aro? �* , , what happened in israel five days auo? . , , ., , what happened in israel five days ao? , ., , ., ago? at this point it is really not clear because _ ago? at this point it is really not clear because we _ ago? at this point it is really not clear because we don't - ago? at this point it is really not clear because we don't know- ago? at this point it is really not - clear because we don't know exactly what the scale of this is in iran. we don't know how it equates and what might be the sort of difference, the different factors. certainly it had been there in recent days that if israel was going to go for a more limited response, in iran, then it might try to target a military base in the same way that the airbase where its stealth

fighter jet the airbase where its stealth fighterjet had some damage, although nothing significant, in the attack by iran a week ago. this could sort of fit into that analysis. but at the moment dark it is not clear, we are getting our reports of explosions and not clear which sites were hit. it reports of explosions and not clear which sites were hit.— which sites were hit. if this was a missile strike _ which sites were hit. if this was a missile strike and _ which sites were hit. if this was a missile strike and the _ which sites were hit. if this was a missile strike and the reports - which sites were hit. if this was a i missile strike and the reports were hearing from the iranians are true, that there was no right damage, what has israel achieved? how important was the strike to people there, because there was no question that they were going to retaliate from all the language use, so what has been achieved? it is all the language use, so what has been achieved?— been achieved? it is a long established _ been achieved? it is a long established policy - been achieved? it is a long established policy in - been achieved? it is a long established policy in israel| been achieved? it is a long - established policy in israel that if your enemies hit you, you hit back harder. that is how israel has long tried to maintain what it sees as deterrence in the region. whether —— where there is so much hostility

towards it. what has been unusual in what has happened in the past week, we have had a shadow war coming on for some years between israel and iran and that has typically involved israel dealing with iran's proxies in the region, particularly hezbollah and lebanon just next door, also in syria, in iraq with the hooda movement, in yemen as well. —— hooda movement. these could show that if iran had attacked israeli territory directly, israel is ready to do the same and can hit inside iran, even reaching areas where we know even if this wasn't the most sensitive place hit, it wasn't a nuclear facility, the most sensitive place hit, it wasn't a nuclearfacility, that the most sensitive place hit, it wasn't a nuclear facility, that it is able to reach close to those areas. it could be seen as symbolically every stone morning. istate symbolically every stone morning. we will be back to you for more later. just to remind viewers, the us embassy in israel has told employees

and families to restrict their movements there, and australian embassy telling their citizens to leave if say. let's get the latest, our north american corresponded, will vernon. will, it's early morning where you are. still no official confirmation. we asked the pentagon earlier, they said they are not commenting at this time. no official confirmation from here yet, wejust time. no official confirmation from here yet, we just have this one line that two us officials have told the bbc�*s partner in the us cbs news that an israeli missile hit iran and iraq similar reports in several us media, otherjournalists have clearly spoken to their sources within the us military and political structures, so very little information to go on at all at the moment, and as was said, quite confusing reports coming out of iran

from local media, government agencies saying that there have been explosions and air defences happen activated but also any few denials as well. so an unclear picture i would say at the moment, just that one line about at least one israeli missile, so obviously we need some clarity about the scale and scope of this israeli retaliation, because that was clearly what it is, clearly an israeli retaliation but we don't know how large it is. istate an israeli retaliation but we don't know how large it is.— an israeli retaliation but we don't know how large it is. we are being told to us media _ know how large it is. we are being told to us media that _ know how large it is. we are being told to us media that the - know how large it is. we are being i told to us media that the americans were told about this before the strike took place. just reminds everybody about the closeness between israel and the us, and so the us has a vested interest in this de—escalating from here, particularly it has forces in the middle east station fair. absolutely, there was a phone call earlier between the us defence

secretary and his israeli counterpart. i am certain that the plans, what kind of retaliation this was going to be, what response was discussed in that phone call if not earlier than that, so the israelis would keep the americans abreast of what their plans were. as you say, us officials incredibly invested in regional security here because israel is america's most important ally in the middle east, us counties israeli security, we have heard that word ironclad from president biden and other officials time and time again over the past few weeks. also the us has several thousand troops stationed in the region, so for us officials it is absently vital that they take all efforts they can to de—escalates situation, that is what the us was trying to do following

that unprecedented large—scale iranian attack on israel last sunday. both publicly and privately us officials were colin for a de—escalation, we know that any phone, between president biden and benjamin netanyahu, mr biden essentially we understand said to mr netanyahu, you have got a win here, we were hearing it earlier, he was saying, you need to pocket this win, you look strong, they look weak, leave it at that. he also said we know that the us would not support any direct military confrontation with iran, which is what appears to have happened tonight.— with iran, which is what appears to have happened tonight. earlier i spoke to former state department correspondent for cbs news christina ruffini. i asked her,what�*s she hearing in washington. i'v

e i've reached out to several israeli sources and they all say they are not commenting for now, which in itself is telling. as for us officials, it is pretty late here. i have reached a few of them at their home and they are just waiting. i think we are all waiting to see exactly what the response will be. it is significant that iran seems to be downplaying the strike, which makes the argument that we could be moving towards de—escalation. and thatis moving towards de—escalation. and that is real it seems not to hit population centres, just military bases. there could be a possibility that this could be one and done. we'll have to see what the rhetoric is coming out of iran in the morning, but we are seeing reports that seems that iran is saying they are taken care of it, there was a major damage and they are strategically downplaying the strike

and that in itself is very telling and that in itself is very telling and hopefully a sign that this could de—escalate and not continue to spiralfrom here. istate de-escalate and not continue to spiralfrom here.— de-escalate and not continue to spiralfrom here. we were hearing from a source _ spiralfrom here. we were hearing from a source from _ spiralfrom here. we were hearing from a source from reuters - spiralfrom here. we were hearing from a source from reuters that l spiral from here. we were hearing i from a source from reuters that the americans were tipped off that something was about to happen. lie something was about to happen. it’s officials have something was about to happen. its officials have been telling outlets that they were informed of it in advance, but the us told israel that they would not support retaliation in this incident and they said take the win, basically. you had all these drones coming at you, 99% of them were shot down. you showed your power, you don't need to retaliate and obviously israel went ahead and did that anyway, so that is a conversation that will be had tomorrow, whether the us is using any semblance of influence and where this goes from here. iran? response will be paramount in that conversation and whether it seems

like iran wants to de—escalate or if this seems to spiral into a larger war, but it is clear that tensions have been incredibly high, but iran does not want a war with the us and the us does not want a war with iran, so hopefully cooler heads can prevail. iran, so hopefully cooler heads can revail. �* . iran, so hopefully cooler heads can revail. . ., , , ., ,, , prevail. and that is perhaps why we are not hearing _ prevail. and that is perhaps why we are not hearing anything _ prevail. and that is perhaps why we are not hearing anything from - prevail. and that is perhaps why we are not hearing anything from the i are not hearing anything from the pentagon, they don't want to add to any more rhetoric.— any more rhetoric. they don't, and the have any more rhetoric. they don't, and they have to _ any more rhetoric. they don't, and they have to see... _ any more rhetoric. they don't, and they have to see... the _ any more rhetoric. they don't, and they have to see... the us - any more rhetoric. they don't, and they have to see... the us likes i any more rhetoric. they don't, and they have to see... the us likes to wait until the full scope of the strike has been found out. they want to see what the damage was, they want to see what the tool was before they decide how to react. pentagon sources have said that they want to make it very clear that the us did not assist in the strike this is an israeli operation. they will probably let the political and physical dust settle. it is midnight

here. you will not see anybody from a podium from tomorrow, by which time they will have decided more what tactic they will take. the time they will have decided more what tactic they will take.- what tactic they will take. the us forces are based _ what tactic they will take. the us forces are based in _ what tactic they will take. the us forces are based in the _ what tactic they will take. the us forces are based in the middle i what tactic they will take. the us l forces are based in the middle east so i guess they will be mindful of their safety as well. that so i guess they will be mindful of their safety as well.— their safety as well. that is something _ their safety as well. that is something us _ their safety as well. that is something us officials i their safety as well. that is | something us officials have their safety as well. that is i something us officials have been worried about since the 7th of october, especially in places like iran and syria. the us embassy in iraq was evacuated in the middle of night, which is really where rare. if america is pulling its diplomats out of the country, that means there is enough of a risk to americans that all americans need to know. they did warned, but in a very broad way and then secretly pulled forces out in the middle of the night. they did that because they were so worried about the security of that

operation. now that embassy are still mans and i have been in contact in the last couple of weeks with people there, they are not getting much sleep, they are very worried. it is very tense for the military personnel. the pentagon has been talking about two further moves to strip out of harms way and it will not make that situation easier. official iranian media are reporting explosions in several iranian cities, including isfahan. of isfahan, activating local air defence systems. two us officials said an israeli missile had hit iran, but israel's military said it had no comment, though israel had vowed to respond to iran's attacks on its territory last saturday. iranian media have sought to play down the apparent attack, saying that three israeli drones were destroyed in the air and there was no damage.

we can now look at the flight radar mapping system. there has been movement away from iranian airspace. us officials are suggesting that embassy staff in israel take care, as our australian officials to their people. as our australian officials to their eo le. as our australian officials to their ”eole. ., , as our australian officials to their neale, ., , , ., ., as our australian officials to their n-eole. ., , , ., ., ., people. so, a tense situation on the round in people. so, a tense situation on the ground in israel. _ people. so, a tense situation on the ground in israel. there _ people. so, a tense situation on the ground in israel. there is— people. so, a tense situation on the ground in israel. there is a - people. so, a tense situation on the ground in israel. there is a ripple i ground in israel. there is a ripple effect of these type of events that we see in the business world. a british security firms on friday said that british merchant vessels were advised to stay alert in case of increased aerial vehicle activity in the region.

let's cross now to suranjana tewari who's been monitoring the markets reaction in asia. what are oil prices doing? the oil prices have been up ever since we received news that there has been these attacks on iran. at the moment they are up just over 2%, but earlier in the trading day we did see increases of over 5%. as far as markets go, we are seeing all the indices across the region falling on the news because markets don't like uncertainty and there is a great deal of uncertainty. investors have told us it did depends on the scale of israel? response. they priced a certain amount in, but the scale of

the response would really decide what markets do. the other industries that are really affected, as you mentioned, our shipping and air lines. shipping has already been upended by the conflict in the middle east. we have seen cargo ships under attack and also concerns over attacks in the region, so lots of ships have re—routed at a cost for those shipping companies. you also mentioned airlines, we are seeing a lot of re—routing of airlines and companies like fly dubai, one of the airlines that flew into tehran, actually re—routing their planes or cancelling flights today. their planes or cancelling flights toda . ~ ., , ., ., ,, today. when the european and us markets open. — today. when the european and us markets open, what _ today. when the european and us markets open, what effect - today. when the european and us markets open, what effect is i today. when the european and us markets open, what effect is like | today. when the european and us l markets open, what effect is like -- markets open, what effect is like —— is this likely to have in those markets?— is this likely to have in those markets? ~ ., , ,, , markets? we are seeing us futures are down, markets? we are seeing us futures are down. so _ markets? we are seeing us futures are down, so they _ markets? we are seeing us futures are down, so they are _ markets? we are seeing us futures are down, so they are likely - markets? we are seeing us futures are down, so they are likely to i are down, so they are likely to follow what is happening here in

asia. the oil prices are the real concern because that will impact people at the petrol pump at a time when the cost of living crisis means that prices are higher, when interest rates are higher and inflation is high in a number of countries. around a fifth of the world? oil consumption goes through the strait of hormuz, the narrow passageway between iran and oman. the concern is that if tensions escalate in the region, then supply will be disrupted and that will further drive up prices. another commodity that prices have gone up, and it is often seen as a safe haven assetin and it is often seen as a safe haven asset in times of uncertainty, gold, it is close to a record high. let's take you july shop of tel aviv now.

there was a vote last night in the un that the us vetoed on full membership for the state of palestine to be recognised by the un. we have already had a statement from saudi arabia expressing his disappointment at the failure of palestine to be brought into the union. this we have been discussing, wondering whether there will be escalation coming forward from this. with me is mohamed taha from bbc arabic. we are seeing more and more from

iranian state media, including this video showing the isfahan nuclear facility, showing that everything is fine and that very little or no damage was done by this israeli missile strike. they are saying it wasn't an israeli missile strike, but we have heard from us officials. what iran does at the moment is exactly what israel did. iran is showing that this is a victory for iran, so even if it is an israeli strike, everything is safe, nobody is injured, it was very limited attack against them and they managed to stop it. many analysts now are showing happiness at the iranian reaction towards this attack and it is showing that the attack that

happened on saturday night made israel think millions of times before launching a big strike against iran. this is exactly what israel did when the mass iranian attack on israel happens with 300 drones and missiles. the israelis and the americans, thejordanians, the other countries helping to stop this... i realised at that point i had stumbled into something incredibly speciat _ stumbled into something incredibly special. this was a real leap of faith — special. this was a real leap of faith i— special. this was a real leap of faith i am _ special. this was a real leap of faith. i am so grateful to them.

mervyn— faith. i am so grateful to them. mervyn kirsch landed on the beach four days after d—day. it was just 19 years old and it was the first time he had left the uk. he has been a frequent visitor to normandy in recent years. he feels compelled to return as long as he is able. today, he has seen the giants in situ for the first time. it he has seen the giants in situ for the first time.— the first time. it is a different generation- _ the first time. it is a different generation. i— the first time. it is a different generation. i don't _ the first time. it is a different generation. i don't think i the first time. it is a different i generation. i don't think people think the same as we did then, out of desperation. we had recovered from the attacks of the germans and we were now taking the war to them. that to me and everyone very important. they represent bats. the

-ro'ect important. they represent bats. the ro'ect for important. they represent bats. the project for years in the making features 4175 silhouettes, one for each man killed on during the six, i944. each man killed on during the six, 1944. all created and installed by more than a thousand volunteers. what have you got here? including natalie taylor, _ what have you got here? including natalie taylor, an _ what have you got here? including natalie taylor, an apprentice i what have you got here? including natalie taylor, an apprentice with | natalie taylor, an apprentice with bae systems, who says it is a privilege to help out. i bae systems, who says it is a privilege to help out.- bae systems, who says it is a privilege to help out. i think it should be _ privilege to help out. i think it should be important _ privilege to help out. i think it should be important to - privilege to help out. i think it i should be important to everyone. obviously, you don't want stuff like this to happen ever again. yes, it is really important to remember what they have done for us. we wouldn't be in the position we are in today if they didn't fight for us. filth be in the position we are in today if they didn't fight for us.- if they didn't fight for us. on the walls and pillars _ if they didn't fight for us. on the walls and pillars of— if they didn't fight for us. on the walls and pillars of the - if they didn't fight for us. on the | walls and pillars of the memorial here are the names of the 22,442 people under british command who died during the battle for normandy.

they include two woman, both nurses, dorothy fields and molly evershed. they died when their hospital ship was hit, but not before making sure that 75 injured men were taken off the ship safely. their selfless heroism now commemorated in steel. the iaea has confirmed there was no damage at the nuclear site. they reiterated that nuclear facility should never be a target in conflicts. they're saying this because it was reported missiles have fallen near isfahan. t because it was reported missiles have fallen near isfahan.- because it was reported missiles have fallen near isfahan. i think it was some distance _ have fallen near isfahan. i think it

was some distance away. - have fallen near isfahan. i think it was some distance away. isfahan| have fallen near isfahan. i think it i was some distance away. isfahan is at the centre of iran? uranium enrichment process and israel have strong suspicions that they are doing more thanjust strong suspicions that they are doing more than just doing this for nuclear power. they believe that they could produce a nuclear bomb if they could produce a nuclear bomb if they wish to. iran denies this. israel thinks it might be a short time away from being able to do that. this was not an attack on iran? nuclearfacilities, just that. this was not an attack on iran? nuclear facilities, just to that. this was not an attack on iran? nuclearfacilities, just to be clear. israel's officials have often hinted that they may be forced to do that, but that was not this attack. they are specifically address that in the run—up to this attack, saying there would be a tit—for—tat response towards israel's nuclear facilities, they said they knew where those were. it has not

escalated, frank. this is a diplomatic victory for the g7, eu leaders, president biden, who brought in sanctions against iran straightaway and it took israel a couple of days to decide what to do. they didn't strike straightaway. they didn't strike straightaway. they didn't. there were plenty of people pushing for an immediate response, in the same way that israel responded within hours to the 7th of october attacks. they have listened to their friends and remember that israel is pretty much wholly dependent on the us for its military firepower, its munitions, much of the intelligence, but primarily for weaponry that it gets from the united states. so when president biden says take the win, thatis president biden says take the win, that is a strong message. all of

this of course distracts from the ongoing conflict between hamas and israel, and the fact that there is still no ceasefire, the conflict is still no ceasefire, the conflict is still raging in gaza and over 33,000 people have been killed there in response to that horrific attack by hamas. and the wider question of trying to find a solution to israelis and palestinians living side by side with a viable palestinian state. hopes of which appear to have been dashed for the time being by the 7th of october attack, but diplomatic efforts are ongoing to try to eventually reach that point where the people can live peacefully side by side. you that point where the people can live peacefully side by side.— peacefully side by side. you were sa in peacefully side by side. you were saying that _ peacefully side by side. you were saying that israel _ peacefully side by side. you were saying that israel was _ peacefully side by side. you were saying that israel was listening i peacefully side by side. you were j saying that israel was listening to his friends. one of the point you're making earlier is that one of the big questions is whether iran will do anything going forward. if it is listening to its friends, iran, and

i know that you spent a long time in the middle east yourself, you have lived out there, what kind of advice do you think it is getting from whom? i do you think it is getting from whom? ., do you think it is getting from whom? ~' ., , , whom? i think it would be very similar to _ whom? i think it would be very similar to the _ whom? i think it would be very similar to the advice _ whom? i think it would be very similar to the advice that i whom? i think it would be veryj similar to the advice that israel has been getting, in other words, take the win. it is not really a win, there have been a lot of red lines crossed in the last few days, so israel's air strike crossed a mass red line. it is the first time that it had done what appears to be a direct attack on iranian territory, the consulate, but it was in another country, damascus. iran then responded with a direct attack on israel proper, as opposed to using its proxies, hamas, hezbollah, there is iraq islamic resistance.

this was another red line crossed. what appears to have happened in the early hours of this morning is that the red lines have been crossed within a very limited way. israel appears to have fired direct missiles or drains at iran itself, rather than at iranian bases and officials in syria and elsewhere. but it is so limited in scope and there are no reports yet of casualties or damage, that this appears to be essentially a symbolic attack and if iran is smart, which it often is, it often isn't, but it often is, it will take that wing and say we launched 300 missiles and drones at israel and this is all that they have done in response, let's leave it there. i don't want to trivialise this, but you could sort of compare death to a fight were two people just say, you

sort of compare death to a fight were two peoplejust say, you know what, let's leave it, damage done let's call an end to it. the reported _ let's call an end to it. the reported attacks - let's call an end to it. the reported attacks in i let's call an end to it. the reported attacks in syria's south and in baghdad, although significance?— and in baghdad, although significance? and in baghdad, although sinificance? ~ ., �* , significance? well, i haven't seen the sco -e significance? well, i haven't seen the scope of _ significance? well, i haven't seen the scope of them _ significance? well, i haven't seen the scope of them yet. _ significance? well, i haven't seen the scope of them yet. israel- significance? well, i haven't seen the scope of them yet. israel has| the scope of them yet. israel has been carrying out numerous attacks on syrian territory, mostly targeting iran's weapon supplies that have gone from iran to hezbollah trying to interrupt that flow of weapons. that is what the 1st of april air strike was about. it was diplomatically unacceptable. this was israeli and diplomatic territory, it was flattened, so it was a huge red line crossed and a contravention, very different to what israel had been doing

previously, which was mostly carrying out very targeted directed air strikes on iranian revolutionary guard sites inside syria. so anything that has taken place today i think you —— i think would be a continuation of that in terms of syria. it continuation of that in terms of s ria. , . continuation of that in terms of sria. , ., ., syria. it is quite a contrast that the airport _ syria. it is quite a contrast that the airport is — syria. it is quite a contrast that the airport is back _ syria. it is quite a contrast that the airport is back open - syria. it is quite a contrast that the airport is back open in i syria. it is quite a contrast that| the airport is back open in iran, according to state media, but the us embassy in israel is telling employees there and their families to restrict their movements. yes. employees there and their families to restrict their movements. yes, so that is really — to restrict their movements. yes, so that is really just _ to restrict their movements. yes, so that is reallyjust a _ to restrict their movements. yes, so that is reallyjust a precaution i to restrict their movements. yes, so that is reallyjust a precaution in i that is reallyjust a precaution in case iran response to this attack. it doesn't look as if it is going to because officially it is playing it down. even some denying that any attack took place. so rather than any fiery rhetoric. this is friday, it is a day of priors, often at a

time forfiery speeches it is a day of priors, often at a time for fiery speeches by iranian religious and government leaders, but i haven't seen any of that. as long as people are demanding a retaliation now against israel, i think we are on safer territory for the time being. it is not the end of things in the middle east, but it does appearfor the time things in the middle east, but it does appear for the time being to be the end of this crisis.— the end of this crisis. people are monitoring _ the end of this crisis. people are monitoring the _ the end of this crisis. people are monitoring the situation - the end of this crisis. people are monitoring the situation very i monitoring the situation very closely, and before this in rafa, and wondering if the idf was going to move towards rafa in gas. do you think now benjamin netanyahu will feel differently now about his ability to do that, with his relations with america, after what has happened in iran?— has happened in iran? there is an unconfirmed _ has happened in iran? there is an unconfirmed report _ has happened in iran? there is an

unconfirmed report that _ has happened in iran? there is an unconfirmed report that some i has happened in iran? there is an | unconfirmed report that some kind has happened in iran? there is an i unconfirmed report that some kind of the deal has been done between washington and israel, whereby israel would agree to restrict its response to last weekend's strikes by iran, in other words carry out their very limited, tiny attack, which it appears to have done, on iran, and in return israel will get the green light to go into rafa. there has been no official confirmation of that. that would sound quite odd i have to say, given the very vocal opposition that the us has given to israel going into rafa. remember, that is worth roughly 1.2 million palestinians who have been displaced in most cases are already crammed in. it is the last place in casa, the already overcrowded and heavily damaged gaza

strip, it is the last place of refuge for a lot of people. they have been displaced under orders to move there, they have come down through khan younis and they are crammed into this southern city, hard up against the border. there is nowhere for them to go. they had to see to the west, the closed border on the south and another closed border to the east, fighting to the north. it is terrifying for those residents there. the us, pretty much the entire world, has said that israel, please don't go on attack rafa. the problem for israel is that it is convinced that is where the hamas leadership are hiding out, possibly some of the hostages, and it wants to go in there so they can sayjob done, mission accomplished. a source has told the iran news

agency that there has been no attack against isfahan. the us has told its citizens to try to leave israel if it is safe to do so. they said the security situation could deteriorate quickly. that is the department of foreign affairs and trade. they say we urge —— this is the australians. for some countries, i guess it is too much to recommend that its citizens stay inside israel. the uk travel advice _ citizens stay inside israel. the uk travel advice change _ citizens stay inside israel. the uk travel advice change some - citizens stay inside israel. the uk travel advice change some time i citizens stay inside israel. the uk i travel advice change some time ago. if there isn't a need... this is not a time for tourism, it has to be said. it is very tense up on the northern border with hezbollah. over

80,000 israeli residents have had to evacuate, moving south. the lebanese had to do the same to move away from the border. . ., , had to do the same to move away from the border. ., ~ , ., ,, , ., the border. frankly, thank you. the international _ the border. frankly, thank you. the international atomic _ the border. frankly, thank you. the international atomic energy - the border. frankly, thank you. the international atomic energy agency j international atomic energy agency said there was no damage to the iranian nuclear sites, after officials had said that a missile had hit iran. to stay with us for the latest on this story. hello. a beautiful label spotted on thursday, particularly in parts of scotland such as here in aberdeenshire. there will be more rebels on friday with sunshine and showers still very much the theme of the day, but lots more dry weather to come in the forecast as we head through the weekend ending to the start of next week with high—pressure starting to edge in from the west, killing off some of the showers by the time we get to the showers by the time we get to

the end of the afternoon. i'll start the end of the afternoon. i'll start the day across england and. a brighter further north against for scotland and northern ireland. the showers will head southwards. there will be a brisk and chilly northerly to westerly wind blowing, lightening again about the time we get to the end of the day. quite a range of temperatures, just 8 degrees in aberdeenshire, but 15 celsius across the south—west of england. head into friday night, the skies were clear and away from north sea facing coasts, then we could again see a touch of frost with temperatures going back to low single figures, so another chilly start to the weekend. for the weekend, a lot of dry weather. it is looking mostly dry. we will see rain across scotland and there will be quite a bit of cloud around the at times, especially towards the east. the high pressure over us, we are drawing in a chilly

north—easterly winds for those north sea facing coasts, so here it will always feel cooler and there will be quite a lot of cloud around, as well. west is best in terms of sunshine amounts in temperatures. head into saturday there is a warm front gradually easing its way across the far north of scotland, bringing cloud, outbreaks of rain. further south it is largely dry, but cloudy and drizzling towards the north sea facing coasts. the best of the century turn out toward the west, we will get to 14 or 15 perhaps here. some of the cloud could break up a little further eastwards. that is also true on sunday. temperatures towards the eastern coastal areas will struggle to get past eight or 9 degrees. compare that to further west were in parts of northern ireland we could get to 70 degrees. —— 17 degrees.

live from london. this is bbc news. two us officials tell cbs news an israeli missile has struck iran. state television in iran has reported explosions in the city of isfahan. officials are saying there's been no damage. this is a live shot of tel aviv. iran's foreign minister warned of an �*immediate' response to any israeli attack.

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 north—west. 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 iraq in the capital baghdad and babil province to the south. the explosions came after israel promised to respond to a drone and missile attack conducted by iran on saturday night against israel.

both nbc and cnn have reported unnamed officials saying that israel gave washington advance warning but that washington did not endorse the action. with me is majid afshar, senior reporter with the bbc world service. thank you forjoining us. tell us what are we hearing from iran about what are we hearing from iran about what happened with these explosions. so far, the iranian side, especially through the official channels, they are not saying much. what they are saying is that around 4am local time, there were explosions heard in the city of isfahan, and we know that isfahan is the centre where three of iran's a minor nuclear facilities are based. later on, videos that you already showed came out showing the defence system, missile defence system, was activated. iranian officials say the

loud explosions heard was the result of the activation of the missile defence system. but in the latest hours, they are saying that they have also downed three drones. but they are saying these are very small drones and they are comparing them to toy drones, basically eight telegram channel close to the irgc. they are trying to downplay the incident, saying this was not serious. in a state tv is basically sending city of isfahan, but there are reports of an air base in the east of the city of isfahan that has been hit, but we cannot confirm. there are videos coming out this air base, but it is really hard at the moment to confirm anything. all we know is that there has been an attack but, based on one of the

iranians side and based on what the atomic energy agency, the site which enriches uranium is a safe at the moment. , . , enriches uranium is a safe at the moment. , ., , ., ,., , moment. tell us a bit about this difference _ moment. tell us a bit about this difference that _ moment. tell us a bit about this difference that we _ moment. tell us a bit about this difference that we are _ moment. tell us a bit about this difference that we are seeing i moment. tell us a bit about this difference that we are seeing in | difference that we are seeing in reports on what has happened, because we are hearing from us officials that a missile did strike iran. we are hearing about drones operating over the skies of isfahan from iranian officials. why do you think we are hearing different reports here? the think we are hearing different reports here?— think we are hearing different reports here? think we are hearing different reorts here? ., ., , , reports here? the iranians side, it is very hard _ reports here? the iranians side, it is very hard to _ reports here? the iranians side, it is very hard to get _ reports here? the iranians side, it is very hard to get credible... i is very hard to get credible... because the media is not free inside iran, and basically all we are getting through the state media and state officials is everything. there has been no official line at the moment. usually by this time, they would come out giving out statements, but so far, we have heard nothing. and what we see on

the iranian media at the moment is that they are all trying to downplay everything. they are just saying that three drones came in, "we downed them and there has been no other incident." as we know, iran, iranians have been quite nervous over the past couple of days because they knew an attack was imminent. thank you very much. from bbc persian, thank you forjoining us. let's get the latest from our north america correspondent, will vernon. will, it's early morning where you are. it is the middle of the night. we are hearing well from american officials, tell us what they are saying. officials, tell us what they are sa in. ~ , ., , ., saying. we still have this line that two us officials _ saying. we still have this line that two us officials confirmed - saying. we still have this line that two us officials confirmed to i saying. we still have this line that two us officials confirmed to the i two us officials confirmed to the bbc�*s partner in the us cbs news that an israeli missile hit iran. we don't have any more information about the scale of that attack, we have at least one missile. we asked

the pentagon, they said that they were not commenting at this time. as were not commenting at this time. as we have been hearing, there have been quite conflicting reports coming out of iran about air defence being activated, explosions, but also perhaps the iranians trying to break it down. so not much information at this point. we know that the israelis have carried out some kind of retaliation, but it is not clear at the momentjust on what the scale that retaliation is. ihthd not clear at the momentjust on what the scale that retaliation is.— the scale that retaliation is. and a is being reported _ the scale that retaliation is. and a is being reported by _ the scale that retaliation is. and a is being reported by reuters i the scale that retaliation is. and a is being reported by reuters telling them that the americans were giving them that the americans were giving them advanced warning of what we believe is this missile strike in iran. just tell us about what kind of coordination and information— sharing there would be between american and israeli officials. there is a huge amount of communication between israel and america. we saw the extent of that

last sunday when iran launched that unprecedented large—scale attack on israel. over 300 drones and missiles fired at the country, 99% of those shot down. we saw the extremely close coordination between america and israel then. israel is america's most important ally in the middle east, america guarantees israeli security, it is the biggest supplier of military supplies, over $3 billion a year in military aid to the country. it really is an incredibly close relationship. and of course there are thousands of american troops stationed in the region. and for several days now, the us both publicly and privately has been calling on the israelis to de—escalate, to calm tensions after that attack on sunday. and we know that attack on sunday. and we know that president biden in a phone call to benjamin netanyahu the israeli prime minister, he said that america would not support any direct military strike on iran. and we note

that mr biden essentially said to mr netanyahu, "look, you are winning here. you are looking strong, iran is looking weak, take that win and the escalate tensions in the name of a reasonable security." so i think the americans were expecting some kind of response by israel but they were hoping it would be sufficiently small scale in order to avoid any escalation. and it appears, if the situation that we are seeing at the moment stays the way it is, essentially, it seems that that response has been quite small — scale, doesn't it? so perhaps the pressure that was put on israel by the americans, by britain and other allies, to limit or even abandon its response, perhaps that pressure has reaped a result, because it would appear, wouldn't it? that this retaliation is not as large— scale as some had feared. retaliation is not as large- scale as some had feared.— retaliation is not as large- scale as some had feared. thank you so much for that _ as some had feared. thank you so much for that update _ as some had feared. thank you so much for that update from - much for that update from washington. that is our

correspondent will vernon in washington. let me bring you some pictures now. let me bring you some pictures. iran's semi—official tasnim news agency, which is close to the islamic revolution guard corps, has posted a video with a caption saying, "isfahan's nuclear site is completely safe." the footage appears to show a man checking his watch near the isfahan nuclear technology centre. the camera then zooms in on several troops standing around what looks like an air defence battery. iran insists its nuclear activities are entirely peaceful and denies it has any ambitions to develop nuclear weapons. but israel accuses iran of developing nuclear capability that could be used to make a weapon. let's speak to our middle east correspondent, yolande knell. just tell us, are we hearing anything from israel about this reported attack on iran? the israeli

milita is reported attack on iran? the israeli military is declining _ reported attack on iran? the israeli military is declining to _ reported attack on iran? the israeli military is declining to comment i military is declining to comment on what has happened here, and at the same time, you have in the israeli media this unusual situation where they are quoting foreign reports about israel's apparent strike in iran. and really in us media, there are quotes from israeli officials unnamed, as well as us officials, all confirming that this was an israeli strike in iran. and suggesting too that this was supposed to be a message that israel can hit, if it wants to, deep in the heart of that country. the uranium you richman site is not farfrom this location where we know that this location where we know that this —— the uranium enrichment site is not farfrom this —— the uranium enrichment site is not far from where we know the explosions were heard in isfahan, a city close to an important air base, close to the airport, so the iranians have been coming out saying that nuclear sites were not affected

by any of this. of course it had been part of the speculation that israel if it wanted to send a very powerful and indeed a dangerous message, it could go after iranians nuclear facilities. message, it could go after iranians nuclearfacilities. some had been remarking that what was perhaps more likely, given that very few missiles it did make it into israeli territory in the early hours of sunday morning, some of those hit an air force base, a very important strategic site for israel in the negev desert. that perhaps israel could respond or try to respond likewise by going for an iranians military facility in iran. ihthd likewise by going for an iranians military facility in iran.— military facility in iran. and over the ast military facility in iran. and over the past few _ military facility in iran. and over the past few days, _ military facility in iran. and over the past few days, we _ military facility in iran. and over the past few days, we have i military facility in iran. and over| the past few days, we have seen israel's allies, the us, uk, all warning the government they are not to carry out an attack on iran. there are a worry has been for the

risk of an escalation in the tensions there in the middle east. we know how much this has been a consideration for the war cabinet there? {3t consideration for the war cabinet there? . ., , , , consideration for the war cabinet there? , , , there? of course this is something that they haven't _ there? of course this is something that they haven't really _ there? of course this is something that they haven't really had - there? of course this is something that they haven't really had to i there? of course this is something j that they haven't really had to wait up, they have consistently had different international leaders reminding them ofjust how dangerous this moment was, trying not to get this moment was, trying not to get this into a tit—for—tat that would lead to a wider war. already israel has been facing iran's proxies in the region, particularly since the 7th of october attacks by hamas which led to the war in gaza, we have seen cross—border tensions with his brother word mark in neighbouring lebanon —— his we have had sirens going off in the north of israel through this morning. also we have had attacks

launched at israel from who fees in yemen, from syria also and from iraq, so this has already been actually dangerous a few months, there was so much effort to try to keep things have a calibrated reaction after israel insisted that for the purposes of its own deterrence in the region, it had to respond that very dramatic and unprecedented attack by iran last weekend. . ., unprecedented attack by iran last weekend. ., ,, , ., ., unprecedented attack by iran last weekend. . ~' , ., ., , weekend. thank you, that is the bbc's yolande _ weekend. thank you, that is the bbc's yolande knell _ weekend. thank you, that is the bbc's yolande knell in - weekend. thank you, that is the i bbc's yolande knell in jerusalem. we bbc's yolande knell injerusalem. we will have more reports and analysis from our correspondent in the region. let's get some analysis now from meehran kamrava, professor of government at georgetown university in qatar. he's also head of the iranian studies unit at the arab center for research and policy studies. thank you forjoining us on the programme. first of all, i would like to talk about isfahan, the city

and the province, why would it be a military target? it is and the province, why would it be a military target?— military target? it is located in central iran. _ military target? it is located in central iran. it _ military target? it is located in central iran. it is _ military target? it is located in central iran. it is a _ military target? it is located in central iran. it is a very - military target? it is located in | central iran. it is a very historic city, it is the former capital of the country, and it is a city that is meant to be secure. of course, about 100 kilometres outside of isfahan is the nuclear facility, about 100 kilometres outside of isfahan is the nuclearfacility, so it is an important strategic located city in iran. {3t it is an important strategic located city in tram— city in iran. of course we have the international _ city in iran. of course we have the international atomic _ city in iran. of course we have the international atomic agency i city in iran. of course we have the| international atomic agency saying no nuclear facilities have international atomic agency saying no nuclearfacilities have been damaged in any attacks over isfahan, and we are also hearing from iranian officials that are saying no damage has been done, the analysis we are getting from our reporters is that they are downplaying any kind of strike over iran. just talk us

through the reaction from iranian officials here.— officials here. they are indeed downplaying — officials here. they are indeed downplaying the _ officials here. they are indeed downplaying the significance i officials here. they are indeed | downplaying the significance of officials here. they are indeed i downplaying the significance of the attack, but by all indications so far at least, attack, but by all indications so farat least, it attack, but by all indications so far at least, it appears the attack was indeed limited. so what we have is a situation of tit—for—tat, but strategic signals that are meant to let the other side note that "we can hit at will and we can hit where we decide to. the iranians, as you mentioned, hit the strategic airbase inside israel, and now the israelis have struck deep inside central iran. but both attacks were deliberately calculated to be limited. so i think both sides feel that they have to retaliate and respond, but they are also keenly aware of the dangers of escalating

the conflict beyond control. just before this _ the conflict beyond control. just before this attack happened, we heard from the uranium foreign minister who was in new york, he said iran would respond immediately if there was an attack from israel. what do you think iranian officials, considering the fact that they want to de—escalate tensions in the region, how will they respond? ittrsi’eilii. region, how will they respond? well, we have to wait _ region, how will they respond? well, we have to wait and _ region, how will they respond? well, we have to wait and see _ region, how will they respond? -tt we have to wait and see what happens over the next couple of days. for the time being, they have shown no appetite for escalation, but they have, as you mentioned, promised to retaliate massively. but so far we haven't seen anything, i think iran would also count on its regional allies and its proxy groups like hezbollah to get activated if iran feels threatened. but i think those options will not necessarily need to be resorted to by tehran for the

time being, given the apparently limited scope of israel's attack on iran. , , . ., limited scope of israel's attack on iran. , . ., , limited scope of israel's attack on iran. , ., ,, , ., iran. just talk us through the tensions in _ iran. just talk us through the tensions in the _ iran. just talk us through the tensions in the region - iran. just talk us through the tensions in the region at i iran. just talk us through the tensions in the region at the | tensions in the region at the moment. of course, there is the war in gaza, but then we have seen this tit—for—tat action between israel and iran. there are worries about what this means for the region. do you think there is the possibility ofjust you think there is the possibility of just de—escalating you think there is the possibility ofjust de—escalating these tensions and everyone focusing on achieving a ceasefire in gaza, which really is the focus for a lot of people? i have lived here in the middle east in doha for 17 years now, and i don't think i have ever seen if this tense. of course, we have had the invasion and occupation of iraq, we have had the situation in gaza, but in the case of the smaller persian gulf states, it has never been this bad. and i think there is a palpable fear across the region, particularly

here in the persian gulf, that the situation could escalate out of hand. we are in quite perilous times, and i think saner heads prevail. both in iran and in israel, people will try to de—escalate rather than engaging in tit—for—tat. thank you very much. head of the uranium studies unit of the arab centre for research and policy studies in doha. let's recap a breaking news. an israeli missile has struck iran, two us officials have told the bbc's us partner cbs news that iranians state media are citing unconfirmed reports of explosions in the central province of isfahan. yesterday it was announced that the us, uk and the eu would impose new sanctions on iran and its weapons manufacturers. the g7 meeting, sorry, at a meeting

of g7 ministers in italy, lord cameron said the decision to extend sanctions was linked to saturday's decision to attack israel. he said he hoped the international response would persuade israeli officials not to retaliate too strongly and of a wider war. to retaliate too strongly and of a widerwar. let's to retaliate too strongly and of a wider war. let's get the latest from our correspondent at the meeting. jess, thank you forjoining us. of course, g7 leaders at a meeting there, but their minds will be focused on what is happening in the middle east right now.— middle east right now. yeah, good morning from _ middle east right now. yeah, good morning from capri, _ middle east right now. yeah, good morning from capri, we _ middle east right now. yeah, good morning from capri, we are - middle east right now. yeah, good morning from capri, we are into i middle east right now. yeah, good l morning from capri, we are into the third day of the g7 ministers foreign meeting. in terms of the focus, they actually covered the middle east yesterday, talked about it extensively, as you are mentioning, fresh sanctions were announced by the us and the uk, targeting iran's drone and missile programme. the european union had also said that it would look at

further restrictive measures at a summit in brussels. in the actually moved discussions on to ukraine, but as we wake up this morning in capri, administers get round the table once more, even though they might have other things on the agenda, sure you have got to think there will be a refocused back on the situation in the middle east. as you have been reflecting, there had been called for de—escalation. two of the foreign ministers here, britain's lord cameron and germany's minister, came to capri pretty much directly from israel where they had been calling on israeli leaders to show restraint in response to the iranians attack. we have yet to hear this morning, it is still early, from the ministers about what has happened. obviously the picture is still very much emerging, but we are expecting to hearfrom still very much emerging, but we are expecting to hear from some of them later, grilling potentially at the us's antony blinken. —— including potentially. so we are waiting for

capri throughout the day. irate potentially. so we are waiting for capri throughout the day. we talked about the sanctions _ capri throughout the day. we talked about the sanctions that _ capri throughout the day. we talked about the sanctions that some i capri throughout the day. we talked about the sanctions that some of i capri throughout the day. we talked | about the sanctions that some of the countries they have put against iran, but looking more broadly at the middle east, there has been a push for diplomatic efforts, what are we hearing from countries, allies of israel, are doing to put an end to the tension but also the conflict in gaza?— conflict in gaza? yeah, you are riht. conflict in gaza? yeah, you are right- lord _ conflict in gaza? yeah, you are right. lord cameron _ conflict in gaza? yeah, you are right. lord cameron who, i conflict in gaza? yeah, you are right. lord cameron who, as i l right. lord cameron who, as i mentioned, came from israel directly to capri where he had been having meetings with leaders in israel, was very much focused on this idea that israel should try and show restraint, he also wanted to talk about the humanitarian situation in gaza and trying to get a there, freeing israeli hostages and of course there was hope that lots of people have been calling for about some kind of potential ceasefire. he and others have talked about this about wanting to bring those issues

back into focus, but i suppose what has happened overnight will feed into those fears of could have this conflict expand? at the moment from what we know, from what people are saying, it looks like it might have been a fairly limited retaliation. but as we say, we are still getting information through at the moment. i think certainly there step dramatic channels will be wide open again today as people try to find out exactly what has happened, calibrate a response, because i think the priority from g7 foreign ministers here will still absolutely be to try and prevent further escalation in the region. and prevent further escalation in the region-— and prevent further escalation in the reuion. ., ~ ,, , . the region. thank you very much. that is the _ the region. thank you very much. that is the bbc's _ the region. thank you very much. that is the bbc's jess _ the region. thank you very much. that is the bbc's jess parker - that is the bbc'sjess parker category for the g7 foreign minister meeting. with me is mohamed taha from bbc arabic. bring us up—to—date on what we are hearing from iran at the moment. that hearing from iran at the moment. git the moment, everybody is downplaying

the moment, everybody is downplaying the situation and are testing the waters, if i may say so. the israelis are not seeing anything at the moment officially about what has happened, the iranians saying it was small, three small drones that were flown from inside iran and that the iranian defence forces managed to deal with them. they are saying there are no damages, no people killed or injured, no outside missiles were being launched, and also no outside attack. they state the attack came from inside, we don't know how. the iranians are also downplaying what has happened. the americans are also saying that it was only one missile launched from israel, and they are not committing further and if the

israelis would comment. all parties at the moment are downplaying what happened and trying not to escalate the situation further. find happened and trying not to escalate the situation further.— the situation further. and i 'ust want to bring fl the situation further. and i 'ust want to bring some i the situation further. and i 'ust want to bring some news h the situation further. and ijust want to bring some news to - the situation further. and i just - want to bring some news to viewers which is that downing street says that its understanding is that the source of the strikes on iran has not been officially confirmed. but the prime minister's office says that israel has a right to self—defence and added "we have been stressing to israelis that what matters now de—escalation." we are still trying to piece together exactly what has happened with these attacks, but obviously concerns about the escalation, calls for de—escalation. what other concerns for the region should have these tit—for—tat attacks continue? indeed, what we are seeing at the moment which we never saw before is that iran would attack directly israel and is israel would attack

directly iran. this was done through proxies, hezbollah, the hoo fees, this is unprecedented in the region. every is but he wouldn't lie to try not to escalate. not for the force that iran has, israel already has f—i6, f35, and they have missiles that have the range of 11,000 kilometres. but iran's airforces from range of 11,000 kilometres. but iran's air forces from the 1970s. but they are using cheap drones with massive numbers to cause problems to these expensive air defences and the israeli military, as they did before on the weekend. but the main point that iran could cause problems is

with their alliances with russia, with their alliances with russia, with china and with proxies in the region, hezbollah, hamas and others. ijust region, hezbollah, hamas and others. i just want to point you to the bbc website where we have a live page there are. you can follow all of the latest updates and analysis from our correspondent in the region. you are watching bbc news. stay with us. hello there. a beautiful rainbow spotted again on thursday, particularly across parts of scotland such as here in aberdeenshire. there will be more rainbows on friday with sunshine, showers are still very much the theme of the day. but a lot more dry weather to come in the forecast as weather to come in the forecast as we head through the weekend and into the start of next week with high—pressure starting to edge in from the west, killing off some of those showers by the time we get to the end of the afternoon. it is a

cloudy, mild start to the day across england and wales. a little brighter further north across scotland and northern ireland. the focus of the shower is gradually shifting further southwards as we head through the afternoon across the midlands, down through central and southern england. there will be quite a brisk and chilly north—westerly to westerly wind blowing, lightning again by the time we get to the end of the day. and quite a range of temperatures again, cold in aberdeenshire but 15 celsius in the south—west of england. as we head through friday night, the skies will clear, and away from the north sea— facing coasts it will stay cloudy and breezy and we could see a touch of frost with temperatures dropping back to low single figures. another chilly start to the weekend. the weekend, a lot of dry weather. in fact, it is looking mostly dry. we will see rain across scotland, it will see rain across scotland, it will be quite cloudy at times, especially towards the east. a bit of an east—west split in terms of temperature. high pressure over us means were drawing in quite a chilly

north—easterly wind on those north sea facing coasts, so here it will always feel cool and there will be quite a lot of cloud around. it will seem quite cold at this time of year. west is best in terms of sunshine amounts and temperatures certainly. as we head through saturday, one front gradually eases its way across the far north of scotland, this will bring cloud outbreaks of rain, but in the south it is largely dry. cloudy, drizzly perhaps on these north sea facing coasts, the best of the sun shine out towards the west. we will get a 14 out towards the west. we will get a 1a or 15 celsius perhaps here. some of the cloud could break up a bit further eastwards, that is also true on sunday. but temperatures towards these eastern coastal areas will really struggle to get much past eight or nine celsius. compare that the further west where in parts of northern ireland, we could get the 17 degrees, perhaps feeling warmer

here.

this is bbc news. the headlines: explosions are heard in iran — us officials say it is israel's response to this week's attack. state television in iran reports the explosions were in the city of isfahan, but say there's been no damage. this is a live shot of tel aviv. iran's foreign minister warned of an "immediate" response to any israeli attack.

two us officials have confirmed to cbs news that israel has struck iran. state television in iran has reported explosions near an army base and airport in the central city of isfahan, activating local air defence systems. the iaea says there has been no damage to the nuclear site. blasts have also been reported in the country's north—west. video online shows iranian defence missiles being fired into the air. explosions have also been reported in southern syria from missiles apparently targeting radar sites and in iraq, in the capital, baghdad, and babil province to the south. israel had promised to respond

to a drone and missile attack by iran on saturday night. both nbc and cnn have reported unnamed officials saying that israel gave washington warning of the attack, but said washington did not endorse the action. we have new pictures coming in. iran's semi—official tasnim news agency, which is close to the islamic revolution guard corps, has posted a video with a caption saying: "isfahan�*s nuclear site is completely safe". you can see a man near the isfahan nuclear technology centre holding his watch to camera to show the local time. we can then see several troops standing around what looks like an air defence battery. iran insists its nuclear activities are entirely peaceful and denies it has any ambitions to develop nuclear weapons, but israel accuses iran of developing nuclear capability that could be used to make a weapon. the iaea has confirmed there's no

damage to iran's nuclear sites. let's speak to gina abercrombie—winstanley, who is the president of the middle east policy council and former us ambassador to malta. thank you forjoining us on the programme. first of all, what is your assessment of the reports we have been getting over the last few hours? , . ., hours? yes, well, we will have to wait and see _ hours? yes, well, we will have to wait and see as _ hours? yes, well, we will have to wait and see as more _ hours? yes, well, we will have to wait and see as more reports - hours? yes, well, we will have to i wait and see as more reports come out as to what damage was done, but this is clearly the second half, or the first half of the signalling thatis the first half of the signalling that is being done between iran and israel. we had israeli attacks, they are really in response, now we to the iranian response. the calibration of this will be very important, how much damage was done.

iran has signalled to israel that it can send an overwhelming number of rockets and missiles towards israel proper. israel has signalled to a mmp proper. israel has signalled to a ramp deck and heads, and next time the nuclear sites may be in trouble. this is a casejust the nuclear sites may be in trouble. this is a case just on the bilateral area of signalling that each side is efficient. ., . ~' area of signalling that each side is efficient. ., . ~ . . . efficient. you talk about calculated strikes, efficient. you talk about calculated strikes. but _ efficient. you talk about calculated strikes, but nevertheless - efficient. you talk about calculated strikes, but nevertheless the - strikes, but nevertheless the language is strong. we heard from the iranian foreign minister when he was in new york saying that any attack by israel would lead to an immediate response from iran. what is your expectation of what will happen next and just how delicate this situation is? happen next and 'ust how delicate this situation is?_ this situation is? well, hopefully the iranians _ this situation is? well, hopefully the iranians will _ this situation is? well, hopefully the iranians will take _ this situation is? well, hopefully the iranians will take some - this situation is? well, hopefully the iranians will take some time | this situation is? well, hopefully l the iranians will take some time to review what the dangers are out

there. again, they have worked as well as many in the region and the united states assiduously since the 7th of october not to expand this war. they have got some thinking to do about the nature of that response. i would do about the nature of that response. iwould imagine do about the nature of that response. i would imagine there will be something, as any state would when attacked, but there are options. the israeli had options about the nature of their response, so they chose a military response. we know that leaders in the region, no doubt the united states and uk were advising the israelis to be very moderate if there are going to respond, oras very moderate if there are going to respond, or as president biden said, take the wind, after they defended themselves so well during the iranian response. the israelis choose not to use that pattern was before them.

choose not to use that pattern was before them-— let's speak to frank gardner, our security correspondent. talk us through what we know so far of these attacks on what we can make of these attacks on what we can make of them. , ., , of these attacks on what we can make ofthem. , ., ,. ,, . .,, of them. this does appear to be israel? very _ of them. this does appear to be israel? very limited _ of them. this does appear to be israel? very limited response i of them. this does appear to be j israel? very limited response to last weekend's mass south and drone attack by iran on israel, all of which, or nearly all of it, was shot down. that was retaliation on the israeli air strike on the consulate in damascus, killing two top iranian generals. this attack by israel is

very significant because it is home to the iranian nuclearfacility. since iran withdrew from the iran nuclear deal of 2015, the one negotiated by president obama's negotiators, and then president trump later withdrew from that, ever since then iran has been enriching uranium to be on the 20% needed for civil nuclear purposes to 60% plus, and it is a shortjump from there to the 90% plus needed to make a nuclear bomb. iran denies making a nuclear bomb. iran denies making a nuclear bomb, but there are strong suspicions that it is covertly working towards that capacity. the choice of isfahan province is significant. it sent a signal to tehran that we can penetrate your

airspace. this is a tiny demonstration of what israel can do. the fact that it is so limited, that it didn't target a load of iranian revolutionary guards, or hit homes or anywhere else, i think that is more than a nod to the very strong pleas by western governments, particularly the united states and the uk to israel not to respond forcefully because they are trying to end this tit—for—tat, this ratcheting up, this escalation up the ladder towards a full—scale regional war that would draw in the united states, sends war oil prices rocketing, it maybe even temporarily close the straits of hormuz, there are no end of grim potentialities. it does appear that for the time

being this crisis has been tamped down and averted.— being this crisis has been tamped down and averted. frank, as well as the international _ down and averted. frank, as well as the international calls _ down and averted. frank, as well as the international calls for _ the international calls for de—escalation, there are domestic pressures not only in israel but also in iran and the thinking that the iran government has to respond to hardliners who think they should be responding should there be an attack. talk us through the dynamics within iran itself. t attack. talk us through the dynamics within iran itself.— within iran itself. i think on both sides there _ within iran itself. i think on both sides there is _ within iran itself. i think on both sides there is a _ within iran itself. i think on both sides there is a case _ within iran itself. i think on both sides there is a case of - within iran itself. i think on both sides there is a case of a - within iran itself. i think on both sides there is a case of a certainj sides there is a case of a certain degree of saving face but also deterrence. so there has been a reaction from some in israel's governments, the security minister, known to be a hardline right—wing settler, somebody he is not in favour of giving any kind of concessions to the palestinians whatsoever, and he has responded with one word, simply the word lame.

referring to israel's response. he would have liked to have seen a much tougher response on iran. there iranians have been a bit confused, really. some officials have been saying nothing happened, there is nothing to see, there was no air strike. others have said well, it was drones, but it was ineffective. an official from the iran space agency said it was a failed attack, just a few quarter copters. there is an element of playing down here, which is quite a relief. today is the day of friday prayers, often it is a time for vitriolic rhetoric from iranian revolutionary guards and leaders, vying for events, death and leaders, vying for events, death and disruption, but we haven't seen that. for iran it will be keen to present this as we struck the zionist enemy last weekend, we

taught them a lesson, we deterred them, if they refer to this attack they will call a pathetic and weak, and if that is what they want to think it is fine. israel could do a great deal more. hopefully for now the tit—for—tat process has been stopped. the tit-for-tat process has been sto ed. ., ., the tit-for-tat process has been stoned. . ~ . ~ the tit-for-tat process has been sto ed, ., ~' ., ~' the tit-for-tat process has been stoned. . ~ . g , ., stopped. frank, thank you. just to let ou stopped. frank, thank you. just to let you know. _ stopped. frank, thank you. just to let you know, we _ stopped. frank, thank you. just to let you know, we have _ stopped. frank, thank you. just to let you know, we have a _ stopped. frank, thank you. just to let you know, we have a live - stopped. frank, thank you. just to let you know, we have a live page | stopped. frank, thank you. just to i let you know, we have a live page on the bbc website where you can read an analysis from frank gardner and our other correspondence, as well as the correspondence we have in the region. let's speak to jean—loup samaan, senior research fellow at the middle east institute of the national university of singapore. we heard that from frank that the hope is that the tit—for—tat military action would possibly now

come to an end. what is your assessment of bats? i come to an end. what is your assessment of bats?- come to an end. what is your assessment of bats? i agree in the sense that what _ assessment of bats? i agree in the sense that what we _ assessment of bats? i agree in the sense that what we hear _ assessment of bats? i agree in the sense that what we hear so - assessment of bats? i agree in the sense that what we hear so far - assessment of bats? i agree in the l sense that what we hear so far from the official level is mostly denial from the iranians there has been an israeli strike on their facility. what the israelis and the americans might be doing right now is to offer the iranians the option of plausible denial, which is an option after this type of strike that would allow for the end of the escalation cycle, meaning that the iranians may not feel that they have to respond again. there are precedents we have seenin again. there are precedents we have seen in the past with the israelis when they have conducted air strikes on syria they usually did not claim these operations, which were in a way to offer the syrians or the iranians the possibility of

plausible denial. this might be the end of this escalation cycle. ”smell end of this escalation cycle. israel has also been _ end of this escalation cycle. israel has also been concerned - end of this escalation cycle. israel has also been concerned about. end of this escalation cycle. israel has also been concerned about the possibility of strikes from iran's proxies in lebanon as well as yemen and iraq. what is your sense of those threats towards israel? those have been underpinning some of the tensions we have been seen between iran and israel. in a tensions we have been seen between iran and israel.— iran and israel. in a sense i would disconnect — iran and israel. in a sense i would disconnect this _ iran and israel. in a sense i would disconnect this tit-for-tat - iran and israel. in a sense i would disconnect this tit-for-tat action i disconnect this tit—for—tat action we have seen between israel and iran from what is happening in lebanon. what we have seen in the last weeks between israel and hezbollah, we don't see any sign of de—escalation, we have seen the intensification of strikes, with israel going even deeper within lebanon tackling hezbollah commanders. i would say

disconnect between this israel— iran conflict with the one between israel and hezbollah. in the case of israel and hezbollah. in the case of israel and hezbollah, this is likely to continue for coming days if the coming weeks. the continue for coming days if the coming weeks.— continue for coming days if the coming weeks. the focus on the reuion is coming weeks. the focus on the region is not _ coming weeks. the focus on the region is not only _ coming weeks. the focus on the region is not only the _ coming weeks. the focus on the region is not only the strikes - region is not only the strikes between iran and israel, but also wider tensions in the region sparked by the war in gas. have you seen at a time like this before in the region? what can be done to de—escalate tensions? region? what can be done to de-escalate tensions? historically, ou have de-escalate tensions? historically, you have to — de-escalate tensions? historically, you have to go _ de-escalate tensions? historically, you have to go back _ de-escalate tensions? historically, you have to go back i _ de-escalate tensions? historically, you have to go back i would - de-escalate tensions? historically, you have to go back i would say - de-escalate tensions? historically, you have to go back i would say to| you have to go back i would say to 1973 to see this type of intensity and regional level of conflict, but evenin and regional level of conflict, but even in 1973, the war only lasted a dozen days, so it is quite unprecedented to have this type of conflict involving so many different actors and for so many months. this

conflict between israel and iran should not lead us to assume that what is happening in gaza is reaching the end. we don't see yet any breakthrough with regards to the negotiations on a ceasefire or release of the hostages. there are indications that the israelis are still considering an offensive on rafa. in the coming days, i don't think we are going to see any sign of strong de—escalation inside gaza, not yet, unfortunately. of strong de-escalation inside gaza, not yet, unfortunately.— not yet, unfortunately. thank you very much- _ so what's been the market's reaction to these developing events in the middle east? let's cross now to suranjana tewari, who has been monitoring the markets

reaction in asia. the big reaction is the price of oil, the price of which has gone up by nearly li%. it is now gone down to an increase of 1.32%. that was a wrong concern about the oil supply, because a fifth of the world's oil consumption travels through the strait of hormuz, the narrow passage between iran and oman. the concerns around escalating tensions are that there will be a disruption to supplies. iran of courses and oil producer, as well, the world's seventh—largest. the fact that oil prices are paring back reflects the fact that investors, traders are saying that this was a limited attack, that is the information that has been coming out. markets in asia reacted negatively to the attack.

indexes across the region, in hong kong, japan, south korea, were all down. at safe haven assets, assets that investors flock to in at times of uncertainty like gold, were up. that is close to a record high. looking back over the past few months since the hamas attack on the 7th of october. how has the conflict affected markets generally? markets don't like uncertainty, _ affected markets generally? markets don't like uncertainty, so _ affected markets generally? markets don't like uncertainty, so this - affected markets generally? markets don't like uncertainty, so this is - don't like uncertainty, so this is further uncertainty. investors and traders generally price in a certain amount, for example when we were waiting for iran's response to israel's attack, investors and traders said they had priced in a certain amount. there are also waiting for israel's response to the iranian attack last weekend. the interesting thing is the impact on other industries, bigger industries

like shipping. we have seen so many cargo ships attacked as a fallout of this escalation of tensions in the middle east. they are having to reboot their ships at great cost to the shipping companies and yesterday airlines are having to re—route or cancel flights. that is causing a lot of ripple effects the world. thank you very much. i want to bring you some reaction we are having from foreign ministers who are meeting in italy at the g7. italy's foreign minister, he is chairing the meeting, says i havejust spoken with their ambassador to tehran and i am following developments following the night—time explosions. we will talk about it with the foreign ministers at the g7 session in capri this morning. we also heard

from the canadian foreign minister, saying i have been briefed by officials about the overnight explosions in iran. we are monitoring the situation closely and we will address the situation with g7 foreign ministers. so reaction from capri, were foreign minister said this will be a key topic for discussion in capri. our correspondent in washington will vernon has been following events there. he said there remains no official confirmation from the us government on the unfolding events in the middle east we still have this line that two us officials confirm to the bbc's partner in the us, cbs news, that an israeli missile hit iran. we don't have any more information about the scale of that attack. we just have this at least one israeli missile line. we asked the pentagon. they said that they weren't commenting at this time. and as we've been hearing, there's been quite conflicting reports coming out of iran about air

defenses being activated, explosions, but also perhaps the iranians trying to play it down. so not much information at this point. we know that the israelis have carried out some sort of retaliation, but it's not clear at the momentjust on what scale that retaliation is. and, will, a source is being reported by reuters telling them that the americans were given advanced warning of this. what we believe is this missile strike in iran. just tell us about what kind of coordination or what kind of information sharing there would be between american and israeli officials. well, there's a huge amount of communication between israel and america. we saw the extent of that, didn't we, last sunday, when iran launched that unprecedented large scale attack on israel, over 300 drones and missiles fired at the country, 99% of those shot down. we saw the extremely close coordination between america and israel.

israel is america's most important ally in the middle east. america guarantees israeli security as the biggest supplier of military supplies, over $3 billion a year in military aid to the country. i mean, it really is an incredibly close relationship. and, of course, there are thousands of american troops stationed in the region. for several days now, the us, both publicly and privately, has been calling on the israelis to de—escalate, to calm tensions after that attack on sunday. we know that president biden in a phone call to benjamin netanyahu, the israeli prime minister, he said that america wouldn't support any direct military strike on iran. we know that mr biden essentially said to mr netanyahu, look, you're winning here. you're looking strong, iran's looking weak. take that win and de—escalate

tensions in the name of regional security. so i think the americans were expecting some sort of response by israel, but they were hoping it would be sufficiently small scale in order in order to avoid any escalation. it appears, if the situation that we're seeing at the moment stays the way it is, essentially it seems that that response has been quite small scale, doesn't it? so perhaps the pressure that was put on israel by the americans, by britain and other allies to limit or even abandon its response, perhaps that pressure has reaped results because it would appear, wouldn't it, that this retaliation isn't as large scale as some had feared? mark kimmitt is a former us assistant secretary of state for political—military affairs. he spoke to my colleague carl nasman.

if this is true, it says that israel is attacking the isfahan nuclear facility. three reactors there. they're pouring the concrete for the fourth reactor. isfahan really is, to a great extent, the center of the iranian nuclear program, both in terms of training, research and, in fact, what some would say the development of their nuclear capability. so it's a likely site that israel would hit because, again, the greatest fear that the israelis have is not continued missiles today, but a nuclear capability tomorrow. well, we have heard, 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 to not take it too far. would an attack on a area of iran that has nuclear facilities fall into that category?

would that be a major escalation in this tit for tat conflict? well, in the eyes of the israelis, in the minds of the israelis, yes, that would be 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 any more. 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 missiles to make a significant second strike on israel. what do you make of the timing of this reported missile strike? is this only coming a few days, really, what, five days after iran sent that barrage into israel? is that sooner than you might have expected? well, it's a little later than 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 this 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 than i would have expected them to respond. the us, of course, as we said, very vocal in saying, you know, 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 could very well be the case, but we won't know until we start seeing the bomb damage assessment, until we get more information. i think it's a little premature to be making that determination. i would be surprised if we didn't at least provide some

intelligence support, particularly from our satellites and our overhead. so, an israeli missile has struck iran, that is according to two us officials who were speaking to cbs news. officials who were speaking to cbs news. stay with us here on bbc news. hello. a beautiful rainbow spotted again on thursday, particularly across parts of scotland, such as here in aberdeenshire. and there will be more rainbows on friday with sunshine and showers still very much the theme of the day, but lots more dry weather to come in the forecast as we head through the weekend and into the start of next week. now with high pressure starting to edge in from the west, killing off some of those showers.

that's a cloudy, mild start to the day. the focus of the showers gradually shifting further southwards as we head through the afternoon across the midlands, down through central southern england. now there will be quite a brisk and a chilly northerly to north—westerly wind blowing, lightning again by the time we get to the end of the day, quite a range of temperatures too, just eight degrees celsius in aberdeenshire with that northerly wind, but 15 celsius across the south—west of england. now, as we head through friday night, the skies will clear and away from north sea facing coasts, which stay rather cloudy and breezy. then we could again see a touch of frost with temperatures dropping back to low single figures. so another chilly start to the weekend. the weekend, a lot of dry weather. in fact, it is looking mostly dry. we'll see some rain across scotland. there will be quite a bit of cloud around at times, especially towards the east and a bit of an east—west split in terms of temperature. with that high pressure over us,

then we're drawing in quite a chilly north—easterly wind to those north sea facing coasts. so here it's always going to feel cooler and there will be quite a lot of cloud around it as well. the north sea really quite cold at this time of year. so west is best in terms of sunshine amounts and temperature. as we head through saturday, there's a warm front gradually easing its way across the far north of scotland. this will bring some clouds and outbreaks of rain further south. it is largely dry but cloudy, drizzly, perhaps towards these north sea facing coats. best of the sunshine out towards the west will get to 1a or 15 degrees celsius perhaps here. some of the cloud could break up a little further eastwards, too, and that's also true on sunday. but temperatures towards these eastern coastal areas will really struggle to get much past eight or nine degrees celsius. compare that to further west, where in parts of northern ireland we could get to 17 degrees, perhaps, feeling warmer here.

live from london. this is bbc news. explosions are heard in iran. us officials say it's israel's response to this week's attack. state television in iran reports the explosions were in the city of isfahan but say there's been no damage. this is a live shot of tel aviv. we're starting to get international reaction. while the source of the strikes on iran has not been officially confirmed, downing street says "israel has a right to self—defence".

hello i'm catherine byaruhangha. there are fears of an escalation in the middle east conflict with explosions heard in iran. two us officials have confirmed to our broadcast partner cbs news that it was an attack from israel. 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 north—west. video online shows iranian defence missiles being fired into the air. commercial flights were diverted around iranian airspace, but iranian media say all restrictions have now been lifted. the international atomic energy agency has confirmed

there is no damage to iran's nuclear facilities. rafael mariano grossi, director general of the agency, said on social media he "continues to call for extreme restraint from everybody." he restraint from everybody." reiterates that nuclear facilities he reiterates that nuclear facilities should never be a target in a military conflict. iran's semi—official tasnim news agency, which is close to the islamic revolution guard corps, posted a video with a caption saying, "isfahan's nuclear site is completely safe." a man near the isfahan nuclear technology centre is seen showing his watch to the camera to show the time and date. we can then see several troops standing around what looks like an air defence battery.

explosions have also been reported in southern syria, from missiles apparently targeting radar sites. and in iraq in the capital baghdad and babil province to the south. israel promised to respond to a drone and missile attack conducted by iran on saturday night against israel. both nbc and cnn have reported unnamed officials saying that israel gave washington advance warning but that washington did not endorse the action. the us has restricted travel for its embassy staff in israel "out of an abundance of caution". the us embassy issued this statement... with me is majid afshar, senior reporter with bbc persian. thank you forjoining us. just bring us up—to—date on the information we are getting from iran, but also

other countries who are watching developments on the ground. what other countries who are watching developments on the ground. what we are caettin developments on the ground. what we are getting from _ developments on the ground. what we are getting from iranians _ developments on the ground. what we are getting from iranians media - are getting from iranians media is quite limited, because at the moment, there seems to be an effort by the iranians media to downplay the incident. as you said, we have reports of explosions, loud explosions, in the city of isfahan. we now know that the explosions were heard from an area which is east of the city of isfahan, where one of the city of isfahan, where one of the main air bases, the missile defence systems of iran is located, very close to the international airport in isfahan. there were also reports of explosions in the city of tabriz in the north—west of the country, where another air defence system is based. now at the moment we are hearing from the governor of

azerbaijan, east azerbaijan province, that there were a number of drones there and they tried to down them. so we are now getting confirmation that explosions were heard also near another air base in the city of tab —— to . the situation is quite changing every minute, as we are getting reports that there is video footage on social media showing fire inside an air base in isfahan, but we cannot confirm it at the moment. my colleagues at bbc persia are trying to validate that to see if it is today or not. what we are getting is

the air defence system was activated in the city of isfahan is now in the city of tabriz which has downed a number of drones. tell city of tabriz which has downed a number of drones.— city of tabriz which has downed a number of drones. tell us about the reaction from _ number of drones. tell us about the reaction from iranian _ number of drones. tell us about the reaction from iranian officials, - reaction from iranian officials, because so far, the assessment is that they are trying to downplay what has happened. we have heard from some officials are saying that no damage has been done. and it was just a few drones were in the sky over isfahan.— just a few drones were in the sky over isfahan. exactly. the question is the iranians, _ over isfahan. exactly. the question is the iranians, when _ over isfahan. exactly. the question is the iranians, when they - over isfahan. exactly. the question is the iranians, when they attacked j is the iranians, when they attacked israel on a saturday and over the weekend, they try to say this was a successful attack. and that is what you you have seen in the iranian media landscape, if they managed to downplay what happened today, then there seems to be an effort to somehow convince their hardline supporters inside the country that nothing has happened, there is no need for a response because the iranians side has always been saying that if there is an air strike, they

will reply to that. there will be a counter the main question here is is this an attack from outside the country or are these drones took off from inside the country? the iranians side is definitely trying to restore deterrence, as the israelis are trying to do, and if they manage to downplay this incident, maybe they can achieve the goal of restoring deterrence inside the country. goal of restoring deterrence inside the country-— goal of restoring deterrence inside the count .~ . ~ . the country. what do you think iran would want — the country. what do you think iran would want to _ the country. what do you think iran would want to achieve? _ the country. what do you think iran would want to achieve? because i would want to achieve? because there are calls for an end to the tit—for—tat strikes that we have seen over the past few weeks. what would be, let's call it a win? a way to get out of this situation for iran? it to get out of this situation for iran? , ., ., , to get out of this situation for iran? , . . , ., to get out of this situation for iran? , ., ., , ., .,, to get out of this situation for iran? , . . , . ., iran? it is already, at least from what we see _ iran? it is already, at least from what we see from _ iran? it is already, at least from what we see from the _ iran? it is already, at least from what we see from the iranian i what we see from the iranian officials' statements, a win for iran, even if they don't reply to

this. jerusalem a few minutes ago published a report citing an israeli official that there was an air strike and this was a message to the iranians side of it if they can strike inside iran. iranian officials, if they manage to say that there was no damage, nothing has happened, no harm has been done, maybe they can see this as a win at the same time, getting the message and stop this tit—for—tat attacks, as you said. the iranian side obviously does not want to escalate this, because they know that if it comes to direct military conflict, they are not in any way comparable to what israel is capable of doing. iranian air defence system is actually quite weak and we also know that israeli fighterjets and stuff, they can do damage. and there is

precedent of israeli transvestite operations inside iran.— precedent of israeli transvestite operations inside iran. thank you very much _ operations inside iran. thank you very much for— operations inside iran. thank you very much for the _ operations inside iran. thank you very much for the update. - operations inside iran. thank you very much for the update. from i operations inside iran. thank you i very much for the update. from bbc persia. joining me now is adnan tabatabai, iran analyst and ceo of carpo — a thinktank focusing on iran and the middle east in germany. thank you forjoining us on the programme. what is your assessment of the reports that we have been getting over the past few hours? in getting over the past few hours? tn my view, what we are currently seeing is, as your colleague has very well elaborated on, then the iranian side is trying to portray this is really something minimal, as something that basically lays to rest the whole tit—for—tat situation and that this was basically nothing. we will obviously have to wait for more accurate information to come

out about what exactly happened, but at this stage, i think it is important tojust at this stage, i think it is important to just acknowledge the fact that there seems to be no will to escalate this further.— to escalate this further. there a- ears to escalate this further. there appears to — to escalate this further. there appears to be _ to escalate this further. there appears to be no _ to escalate this further. there appears to be no will- to escalate this further. there appears to be no will to i to escalate this further. there i appears to be no will to escalate this further. there would also be considerations within iran, hardliners within the government there would perhaps want tougher action against israel. do you think iran was to not carry out another strike and was just say, "well, this strike and was just say, "well, this strike wasn't that bad," that would be enough to please the hardliners? i believe so. i think the overall appetite to launch another attack, in spite of what was said publicly, i think the appetite has not been that big. so it is actually, i believe right now also to the benefit in iran to downplay what happened, orto benefit in iran to downplay what happened, or to reallyjust say that what happened is not significant enough for us to retaliate at this

stage. enough for us to retaliate at this stare. ~ ., , enough for us to retaliate at this stare.~ . ,,, enough for us to retaliate at this stare.~ . , ,, enough for us to retaliate at this stare. ., ,, ., stage. what is your assessment of how we have _ stage. what is your assessment of how we have got _ stage. what is your assessment of how we have got here? _ stage. what is your assessment of how we have got here? because i stage. what is your assessment of i how we have got here? because both sides have been clear that they do not want a wider war in the region, they do not want to escalate tensions, but we've found ourselves in these positions where we have seen these large strikes or strikes over the past few weeks.- seen these large strikes or strikes over the past few weeks. indeed. i think the dangerous _ over the past few weeks. indeed. i think the dangerous situation i over the past few weeks. indeed. i think the dangerous situation here| think the dangerous situation here is the constant pushing of red lines. iran has always acted in a way that was plausibly deniable. it went through its aligned groups in the region. but that red line was obviously crossed on sunday. the israelis by attacking an iranian consulate building in damascus and killing commanders was another form of crossing red lines. so that is the dangerous situation we are seeing. so when these red lines are pushed, we may also be able to move

within a range of actions which means that there will be no further escalation on the horizon. {line means that there will be no further escalation on the horizon. one word but has been _ escalation on the horizon. one word but has been spoken _ escalation on the horizon. one word but has been spoken often - escalation on the horizon. one word but has been spoken often has i escalation on the horizon. one wordj but has been spoken often has been escalation on the horizon. one word i but has been spoken often has been a deterrence. so both countries wanting to deter the other from attacking. they want to feel secure in what can perhaps be quite a dangerous neighbourhood. how what would international partners go about making israel and iran feel secure that there won't be more attacks? ., . ., . , attacks? you are pointing to a very relevant issue _ attacks? you are pointing to a very relevant issue here, _ attacks? you are pointing to a very relevant issue here, and _ attacks? you are pointing to a very relevant issue here, and that i attacks? you are pointing to a very relevant issue here, and that is i attacks? you are pointing to a very| relevant issue here, and that is the face—saving deterrent scheme that is necessary for both sides, and i believe third parties have a role to play here. what i miss particularly from european countries is to really effectively call for restraint and try to give both sides a sense of" it has restored your deterrence, we can see that you can do each other serious harm, so now please for the

sake of peace, no further escalation, call for restraint on both sides." i have not seen that in the way that i would have hoped, particularly from european countries, and let's see whether today's event last night's event changes that.— today's event last night's event chances that. ., ,, , ., , . changes that. thank you very much. ceo of carpo- _ let's speak to our middle east correspondent, yolande knell. we are getting international reaction to these explosions in iran. what are we hearing from israeli officials? the iran. what are we hearing from israeli officials?— israeli officials? the israeli military has _ israeli officials? the israeli military has not _ israeli officials? the israeli military has not had - israeli officials? the israeli military has not had any i israeli officials? the israeli - military has not had any comment on whether this was an israeli offensive inside iran. but the israeli media is clearly presenting it as such. you also have the us media quoting unnamed israeli and us officials are saying that this was an israeli strike on iran. the

information that is coming out is mainly from iran, where of course there is not a free press. you have had overnight these reports, first from the semi—official news agency where it talks about three explosions being heard in isfahan, right in the centre of the country close to a key airport and close to an important military base. then the state tv was saying in iran that these were ground explosions that took place, there had been air defence systems that have been activated in response to drones, which you can apparently see in some footage that is circulating on social media. and really trying very much on the iranian side to downplay what happened here. we are not hearing anything about significant damage at all. that said, in israel this morning, of course this has been a very tense week as everyone waited to see how the country would

respond. it was really made clear that the country felt it had to respond to the unprecedented attack by iran last weekend, with more than 300 attack drones and missiles being launched at the country. this is a country that is about to have the jewish passover holiday, many schools have broken up, people have been preparing to travel. there has been preparing to travel. there has been this continuing state of uncertainty, and it is telling this morning that the israeli military has not updated its advice. it said there is no change in instructions to the israeli public about the state of alert that the country is now on, suggesting it is not bracing itself for retaliation from iran. the reuters news agency interestingly quoting an unnamed senior iranian official who they say says that no retaliation as planned, and presenting this as more of a case of infiltration rather than an attack on iran. bind case of infiltration rather than an attack on iran.— attack on iran. and we are 'ust seeinu attack on iran. and we are 'ust seeing reports i attack on iran. and we are 'ust seeing reports from i attack on iran. and we are just seeing reports from iranian i attack on iran. and we are just i seeing reports from iranian media, this is on the bbc live page, and an

iranian official is quoting that iranian official is quoting that iran has no plan for immediate action. sorry, this was a comment to the reuters news agency. so falling in line with comments that we have been seeing that iran also has no appetite to escalate the tensions there in the middle east. just talk us through what is likely to happen over the next few days. obviously at the moment, the focus is on what is happening between iran and israel, but also eyes are focused on what is happening in gaza.— happening in gaza. indeed. ithink there is so — happening in gaza. indeed. ithink there is so much _ happening in gaza. indeed. ithink there is so much happening i there is so much happening diplomatically behind—the—scenes to try to calm things down. we have seen this morning these reports of an attack by israel in syria, according to the uk — based syrian observatory for human rights on a syrian army base but also had rocket

sirens going off, warning of a potential incoming fire in the north of israel. there has been this increase in recent days of cross— border fire between israeli forces and hezbollah, the powerful iran—backed lebanese group. so a lot of fears that iran's proxies could also get involved in retaliation and attack, even if we don't have that coming from iran directly.- attack, even if we don't have that coming from iran directly. thank you very much. — coming from iran directly. thank you very much. that _ coming from iran directly. thank you very much, that is _ coming from iran directly. thank you very much, that is to _ coming from iran directly. thank you very much, that is to be _ coming from iran directly. thank you very much, that is to be busy's i very much, that is to be busy's yolande knell they are with analysis and reaction —— the bbc's. g7 foreign ministers are in italy. these are live pictures from that meeting in capri. they've been reacting to the news. just park as in capri for us. we have been getting reaction from ministers there, talk us through what they have been saying. goad what they have been saying. good morninr. what they have been saying. good morning- in _ what they have been saying. good morning. in the _ what they have been saying. good morning. in the last _ what they have been saying. good morning. in the last hour- what they have been saying. good morning. in the last hour or i what they have been saying. good morning. in the last hour or so, hearing — morning. in the last hour or so, hearing from some of those foreign

ministers _ hearing from some of those foreign ministers who, as you see, are here in capri _ ministers who, as you see, are here in capri for— ministers who, as you see, are here in capri for the g7 foreign ministers' meeting. they had discussed the situation in the middle — discussed the situation in the middle east yesterday, then moved onto other issues, including the war in ukraine, — onto other issues, including the war in ukraine, but it now seems as though— in ukraine, but it now seems as though the _ in ukraine, but it now seems as though the middle east very much back on— though the middle east very much back on the agenda. just to bring you some — back on the agenda. just to bring you some of that reaction, first of ihalve— you some of that reaction, first of italy's foreign minister who is chairing — italy's foreign minister who is chairing proceedings here has said on the _ chairing proceedings here has said on the social media platform ex "i have _ on the social media platform ex "i have just — on the social media platform ex "i have just spoken we will talk about it with the foreign _ we will talk about it with the foreign ministers at the g7 session in capri _ foreign ministers at the g7 session in capri this — foreign ministers at the g7 session in capri this morning." he goes on to say— in capri this morning." he goes on to say there — in capri this morning." he goes on to say there are no critical issues for italians — to say there are no critical issues for italians living in iran. and canada's _ for italians living in iran. and canada's foreign minister says she has been _ canada's foreign minister says she has been briefed by global affairs canada _ has been briefed by global affairs canada officials about the overnight explosions, again monitoring the situation — explosions, again monitoring the situation closely and reiterating that the — situation closely and reiterating that the situation will be addressed at the _ that the situation will be addressed at the procession of the g7 foreign

ministers — at the procession of the g7 foreign ministers this morning. we are expected — ministers this morning. we are expected to hear from other foreign ministers _ expected to hear from other foreign ministers later on today as this g7 foreign _ ministers later on today as this g7 foreign ministers' meeting is due to wrap up. _ foreign ministers' meeting is due to wrap up. so — foreign ministers' meeting is due to wrap up, so we should expect reactions— wrap up, so we should expect reactions here on the italian island of capri _ reactions here on the italian island of capri throughout the day. and over the past — of capri throughout the day. ginc over the past couple of days, we have seen some countries there meeting in capri, putting sanctions, further sanctions on iran following its strike on israel. we expect any other announcements during this meeting? t other announcements during this meetinr ? . �* other announcements during this meetinr? . �* ., other announcements during this meetinr? . �* . . , meeting? i haven't had any indications _ meeting? i haven't had any indications that _ meeting? i haven't had any indications that we - meeting? i haven't had any indications that we will i meeting? i haven't had any indications that we will get| meeting? i haven't had any - indications that we will get further announcements of that kind, so what happened _ announcements of that kind, so what happened following saturday's attack by iran, _ happened following saturday's attack by iran, which of course was a response _ by iran, which of course was a response to a strike on israel in —— it was— response to a strike on israel in —— it was a _ response to a strike on israel in —— it was a strike _ response to a strike on israel in —— it was a strike on an iranian consulate _ it was a strike on an iranian consulate in syria, there were advance — consulate in syria, there were advance messages that i would be

further— advance messages that i would be further sanctions. yesterday, we heard _ further sanctions. yesterday, we heard from — further sanctions. yesterday, we heard from the us and uk who said they would — heard from the us and uk who said they would come up with a coordinated package of sanctions for individuals— coordinated package of sanctions for individuals and industry bodies linked — individuals and industry bodies linked to— individuals and industry bodies linked to iran's missile and drone programme. the eu as well during a summit— programme. the eu as well during a summit in— programme. the eu as well during a summit in brussels said they would be iooking — summit in brussels said they would be looking at further restrictive measures— be looking at further restrictive measures going forward against iran as well _ measures going forward against iran as well. thisjust measures going forward against iran as well. this just adds to sanctions that are _ as well. this just adds to sanctions that are already applied to tehran. the uk _ that are already applied to tehran. the uk for— that are already applied to tehran. the uk for example said that it had sanctioned — the uk for example said that it had sanctioned 13 individuals and entities, _ sanctioned 13 individuals and entities, adding to 400 sanctions already— entities, adding to 400 sanctions already in— entities, adding to 400 sanctions already in place. i think they were trying _ already in place. i think they were trying to— already in place. i think they were trying to do— already in place. i think they were trying to do a couple of things, sent— trying to do a couple of things, sent a — trying to do a couple of things, sent a message to iran in response to what— sent a message to iran in response to what happened on saturday, also as part _ to what happened on saturday, also as part of— to what happened on saturday, also as part of this effort to try to de—escalate tensions in the region, we have _ de—escalate tensions in the region, we have heard this message from western— we have heard this message from western leaders to israel to try and show— western leaders to israel to try and show restraint or even not retaliate at all _ show restraint or even not retaliate at all and — show restraint or even not retaliate at all and i — show restraint or even not retaliate at all. and i think it was part of that— at all. and i think it was part of that effort— at all. and i think it was part of that effort to sell to israel this message — that effort to sell to israel this message of "take the win", as president _

message of "take the win", as president biden put it, following the events of the last week. of course — the events of the last week. of course we _ the events of the last week. of course we are still getting a very emerging — course we are still getting a very emerging picture this morning in terms _ emerging picture this morning in terms of— emerging picture this morning in terms of what has actually happened in iran, _ terms of what has actually happened in iran, but— terms of what has actually happened in iran, but it will very much be up for discussion here at the closing session— for discussion here at the closing session of— for discussion here at the closing session of g7 foreign ministers today~ — session of g7 foreign ministers toda ., , , session of g7 foreign ministers toda . ,, session of g7 foreign ministers toda ., ,, ,, , session of g7 foreign ministers toda.i ,, ,, , ., today. jess, took us briefly through some of the — today. jess, took us briefly through some of the other _ today. jess, took us briefly through some of the other issues _ today. jess, took us briefly through some of the other issues that i today. jess, took us briefly through some of the other issues that have | some of the other issues that have been discussed in capri. the some of the other issues that have been discussed in capri.— been discussed in capri. the other main item on _ been discussed in capri. the other main item on the _ been discussed in capri. the other main item on the agenda - been discussed in capri. the other main item on the agenda has i been discussed in capri. the other| main item on the agenda has been been discussed in capri. the other i main item on the agenda has been the war in— main item on the agenda has been the war in ukraine. dmytro kuleba, ukraine's— war in ukraine. dmytro kuleba, ukraine's foreign minister, has been here on— ukraine's foreign minister, has been here on the — ukraine's foreign minister, has been here on the island of capri, again asking _ here on the island of capri, again asking for— here on the island of capri, again asking for further assistance, particularly air defence systems, missiles — particularly air defence systems, missiles. jens stoltenberg, the secretary general of the nato military — secretary general of the nato military is here as well. we were at a press _ military is here as well. we were at a press conference with him yesterday, he said there was an urgent, — yesterday, he said there was an urgent, critical need for more air defence — urgent, critical need for more air defence systems to go to ukraine as soon as—

defence systems to go to ukraine as soon as possible. really at the moment, — soon as possible. really at the moment, it is not quite clear where those _ moment, it is not quite clear where those air— moment, it is not quite clear where those air defence systems might come from _ those air defence systems might come from. germany quite recently pledged an additional battery to ukraine, jens stoltenberg said conversations were ongoing with partner countries about— were ongoing with partner countries about whether there could be a further — about whether there could be a further assistance. there is some hope. _ further assistance. there is some hope, because the us aid package which _ hope, because the us aid package which has — hope, because the us aid package which has been so long stalled in congress. — which has been so long stalled in congress, worth $60 billion, for ukraine. _ congress, worth $60 billion, for ukraine, congress is moving towards a vote _ ukraine, congress is moving towards a vote on— ukraine, congress is moving towards a vote on that. so that caused a little _ a vote on that. so that caused a little bit — a vote on that. so that caused a little bit of— a vote on that. so that caused a little bit of optimism here, but actually— little bit of optimism here, but actually overall, officials i have been _ actually overall, officials i have been speaking to say the mood on this issue — been speaking to say the mood on this issue has been quite downbeat. thank— this issue has been quite downbeat. thank you _ this issue has been quite downbeat. thank you very much. that is the bbc's just park in capri for us. let's speak to our political correspondent damian grammaticas. talk us through what we have heard from downing street.— from downing street. from the uk prime minister's _ from downing street. from the uk prime minister's office, _

from downing street. from the uk prime minister's office, what i from downing street. from the uk prime minister's office, what we i prime minister's office, what we have heard is similar to what you have heard is similar to what you have heard is similar to what you have heard from jess in italy. the uk prime minister's office saying they are working to confirm the details of what happened here. they would not say whether they have been a given any advance notice by israel of any strike on iran. we know from the us there are reports that the us government saw reports suggesting its government was unsurprised by the attack. here, what the government is saying is that they said it was important to emphasise israel's right to self—defence and that they have been emphasising to israel the days before this that it was important to de—escalate tensions. this morning, we have also heard a senior government minister mel stride, who is the work and pensions secretary, he has been describing the situation between israel and iran is very problematic and febrile. and he went on to say

that it and febrile. and he went on to say thatitis and febrile. and he went on to say that it is important that all countries, iran and israel included, he said, work to de—escalate and focus on de—escalation. th he said, work to de-escalate and focus on de-escalation._ he said, work to de-escalate and focus on de-escalation. in the last few da s, focus on de-escalation. in the last few days. we _ focus on de-escalation. in the last few days, we have _ focus on de-escalation. in the last few days, we have seen _ focus on de-escalation. in the last few days, we have seen a - focus on de-escalation. in the last few days, we have seen a visit i focus on de-escalation. in the last few days, we have seen a visit by| few days, we have seen a visit by the foreign minister lord cameron to israel as well. just talk us through some of the concerns of the uk but other western allies also have around escalation of tensions on the possibility of a wider war there in the middle east. t possibility of a wider war there in the middle east.— possibility of a wider war there in the middle east. i think the message was very clear _ the middle east. i think the message was very clear coming _ the middle east. i think the message was very clear coming from - the middle east. i think the message was very clear coming from the i the middle east. i think the message was very clear coming from the uk i was very clear coming from the uk foreign secretary david cameron, the german foreign minister annalena baerbock, they were all in israel just before this g7 summit so earlier this week, and their concern was that israel should not take actions that would potentially lead to some sort of spiral. i think the worry though was that the attack on israel, unprecedented from iran, directly on israel, with drones and

missiles, that had been successfully repelled. a defensive that carried out by israel and allies like the uk and the us, so they have been urging israel to respond cautiously in light of that. part of the concern the was exactly that here you see israel potentially attacking targets in iran directly. that could lead to some sort of spiral. you also had iranian proxies around the region, so in lebanon, yemen, and the concern again that there are different directions that they skirt take. so the concern from western powers are certainly to try to contain any possibility of that. thank you very much. that is our political correspondent damian grammaticasjoining political correspondent damian grammaticas joining us political correspondent damian grammaticasjoining us from grammaticas joining us from westminster and grammaticasjoining us from westminster and sharing reaction from the british prime minister and downing street on these reports that

we have been receiving over the past few hours, which is that an iranian missile has struck iran, that is according to two us officials are speaking to the bbc's us partner cbs. you are watching bbc news. stay with us, we will have more updates and reaction to that news coming from the middle east. hello there. some beautiful rainbows spotted again on thursday, particularly across parts of scotland, such as here in aberdeenshire. there will be more rainbows on friday with sunshine and showers still very much the theme of the day, but lots more dry weather to come in the forecast as we head through the weekend and into the start of next week. with high pressure starting to edge in from the west, killing off some of those showers by the time we get to the end of the afternoon. it's a cloudy, mild start to the day across england and wales.

it's a little brighter further north across scotland and northern ireland. the focus of the showers gradually shifting further southwards as we head through the afternoon across the midlands, down through central and southern england. there will be quite a brisk and a chilly northerly to north—westerly wind blowing, lightening again by the time we get to the end of the day. and quite a range of temperatures too, just eight degrees celsius in aberdeenshire with that northerly wind, but 15 celsius across the south—west of england. as we head through friday night, the skies will clear and, away from north sea—facing coasts, which stay rather cloudy and breezy, then we could again see a touch of frost with temperatures dropping back to low single figures. so another chilly start to the weekend. the weekend — a lot of dry weather. in fact, it is looking mostly dry. we'll see some rain across scotland. there will be quite a bit of cloud around at times, especially towards the east. and a bit of an east—west split in terms of temperature. with that high pressure over us, then we're drawing in quite a chilly

north—easterly wind to those north sea—facing coasts, so here it's always going to feel cooler and there will be quite a lot of cloud around, as well. the north sea really quite cold at this time of year. so west is best in terms of sunshine amounts and temperature, certainly. as we head through saturday, there's a warm front gradually easing its way across the far north of scotland. this will bring some clouds and outbreaks of rain. further south, it is largely dry, but cloudy, drizzly, perhaps towards these north sea—facing coats. the best of the sunshine out towards the west. it will get to 14 or 15 degrees celsius perhaps here. some of the cloud could break up a little further eastwards too, and that's also true on sunday, but temperatures towards these eastern coastal areas will really struggle to get much past eight or nine degrees celsius. compare that to further west, where in parts of northern ireland we could get to 17 degrees, perhaps. feeling warmer here.

this is bbc news. the headlines: explosions are heard in the iranian city of isfahan. us officials say it is israel's response to this week's attack. an iranian official says there is no plan for immediate retaliation and state tv says there is no damage reported. this is a live shot of tel aviv. downing street says "israel has a right to self—defence".

let's recap what's been happening in iran. in what is feared to be a ratcheting up of the conflict in the middle east, explosions have been heard in iran. two us officials have confirmed to our broadcast partner cbs news that it was an attack from israel. state television in iran has reported explosions near an army base and an airport in the central city of isfahan, activating local air defence systems. blasts have also been reported in the country's north—west. video online shows iranian defence missiles being fired into the air. commercial flights were diverted around iranian airspace, but iranian media say all restrictions have now been lifted. the international atomic energy agency has confirmed that there is no damage to iran's nuclear facilities after an israeli strike on the country. in a social media post,

the agency's director—general, rafael mariano grossi, said that nuclear facilities never be a target in military conflicts and they continued to call for extreme restraint from everybody. iran's semi—official tasnim news agency, which is close to the islamic revolution guard corps, posted a video with a caption saying: "isfahan's nuclear site is completely safe". a man near the isfahan nuclear technology centre is seen showing his watch to the camera to indicate the time and date. we can then see several troops standing around what looks like an air defence battery. explosions have also been reported in southern syria, apparently from missiles targeting radar sites. explosions too in iraq, in the capital, baghdad, and babil province to the south. israel had promised to respond to iran's drone and missile attack on saturday night.

both nbc and cnn have reported unnamed officials saying that israel warned washington, but that washington did not endorse the action. an unnamed source has said there is no plan for immediate retaliation from iran. let's speak to paul hickin, editor—in—chief of the petroleum economist. we are already seeing reaction in the market, particularly the oil markets. . , , the market, particularly the oil markets. . i . ., . the market, particularly the oil markets. . i , ., . . markets. certainly it is volatile at the moment- _ markets. certainly it is volatile at the moment. we _ markets. certainly it is volatile at the moment. we have _ markets. certainly it is volatile at the moment. we have seen i markets. certainly it is volatile at i the moment. we have seen before markets. certainly it is volatile at - the moment. we have seen before when you have the well telegraphed attack from iran to israel, everybody thought that would cause prices to spike, but it didn't. the same can be said for today. there is a suggestion in the market that there

is a kind of willingness to keep this contained, not to escalate the situation. i think the oil market in energy markets especially are thinking we have to get to a point with this escalates to physical supply disruptions, and that really means a wider conflict, potentially bringing in saudi arabia or uae, the huge oil producers, or disruptions to the strait of hormuz, which is a key waterway that runs a fifth of oil globally runs through that day. realistically, it doesn't look at this point that the risks are very contained that it will escalate to that point. contained that it will escalate to that oint. ~ . contained that it will escalate to that oint. . . contained that it will escalate to that oint. ~ . , contained that it will escalate to that oint. . . , ., contained that it will escalate to that point-— that point. what can be done to offset the risks _ that point. what can be done to offset the risks when _ that point. what can be done to offset the risks when we - that point. what can be done to offset the risks when we see i that point. what can be done to l offset the risks when we see this escalation of tensions in the middle

east? th escalation of tensions in the middle east? . ., escalation of tensions in the middle east? ,., .', east? in terms of offsetting the risks, all sides _ east? in terms of offsetting the risks, all sides are _ east? in terms of offsetting the risks, all sides are trying i east? in terms of offsetting the risks, all sides are trying to i east? in terms of offsetting the l risks, all sides are trying to have a win, were every side can claim victory but nothing really gets disrupted. that is what is really happening now. from an energy market perspective, you have huge amounts of us petroleum reserves, they could release that to the market if there was physical supply disruptions. there's also opec, and they five million barrels a day of spare capacity. there are mitigating factors from an energy perspective. gas could also be affected. there have been huge build—ups of gas in the market after the supply problems from russia a couple of years ago. there's been an infrastructure build—up there. there are a lot of

mitigating factors where you would really have to go to an extreme scenario. two years ago we saw with the russia and ukraine crisis were oil prices spiked to over hundred and $30 a barrel and gas prices travelled, thankfully we are not in that position again.— that position again. underpinning all of this is _ that position again. underpinning all of this is the _ that position again. underpinning all of this is the war _ that position again. underpinning all of this is the war in _ that position again. underpinning all of this is the war in gaza. i that position again. underpinning | all of this is the war in gaza. what are facing the last six months in terms of reactions in the energy markets? ., . i . ~ markets? from an energy market perspective. _ markets? from an energy market perspective. it — markets? from an energy market perspective, it has _ markets? from an energy market perspective, it has been - markets? from an energy market perspective, it has been fairly i perspective, it has been fairly contained. there has been that risk of it spilling over, but we saw with the with the other waterway in the region, it was more of an irritation. it affected supply chains in terms of having to grind africa rather than directly through the key waterway that links europe and the middle east and asia. it is

and the middle east and asia. it is a huge waterway that is a key artery for the energy markets. it has been pretty much contained, but there is that risk in the background and when you see things like this happen there is always the risk of that. you have to put that into context of how much do people really want to see this escalate, especially the us in an election year. i don't think it doesjoe biden any favours. the uk in an election year as well. energy prices have a huge impact on inflation, as we have seen in the last couple of years. it can damage the global economy. leaders will not want to see that, especially given the political backgrounds in their domestic markets.—

let's speak to frank gardner, our security correspondent. an iranian official has said there is no plan for an immediate response. is no plan for an immediate response-— is no plan for an immediate res-onse. . i ., response. yes, i will give you the to line response. yes, i will give you the top line first. _ response. yes, i will give you the top line first, which _ response. yes, i will give you the top line first, which is _ response. yes, i will give you the top line first, which is my - top line first, which is my assessment, for what it's worth, is that this crisis for now is over, it has been averted. it doesn't end the middle east problems, but the real fear of a tit—for—tat escalating exchange of fire between israel and iran for now appears to be over. why? let'sjust iran for now appears to be over. why? let's just take a back to the 1st of april. there was a devastating air strike on iran's consulate in damascus, it flattened it. it was a targeted, precision strike that israel did not say it did, but everybody knew it was. it

killed 13 people, including two top iranian generals. iran found a strong response. the middle east held its breath for 13 days, then we got the answer. last weekend, over saturday night into sunday morning, there was a barrage, a swarm attack by iran against israel of around 330 drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. nearly all of these were shot down by israel, by these were shot down by israel, by the us navy, but the raf, by jordan's air defences and possibly even the saudis. nobody was killed on that, but it was still the first time that iran had done a direct attack from iranian soil against israel, its own territory. so not using proxies like hezbollah in lebanon, the 50s in yemen. israel

felt it had to respond. all this week we have seen urgent appeals by the west, the us and elsewhere, saying please don't respond forcefully. leave it at that. take the win, president biden said. we shot down all the missiles. nobody got killed. you have made your point. it is real still felt it had to respond to try to kind of show it can still deter iran if it needs to. what we have seen this morning is a very limited, calibrated, symbolic strike. very important wearer to set. the fact that there is no damage that we can see, no casualties, that is fine. iran has said it will not respond, that is great. but look at where attempt. the isfahan province. that is home to iran's uranium enrichment facilities, severalfacilities,

several air bases, several military centres. israel is making the point that it can strike there and it could strike in a much stronger way if you choose to.— could strike in a much stronger way if you choose to. your assessment is that we are — if you choose to. your assessment is that we are seeing _ if you choose to. your assessment is that we are seeing the _ if you choose to. your assessment is that we are seeing the end _ if you choose to. your assessment is that we are seeing the end of- if you choose to. your assessment is that we are seeing the end of these| that we are seeing the end of these tit—for—tat strikes between iran and israel. what do you think has brought this about? is this diplomatic efforts or is it because the countries have no interest in a wider conflict between themselves? t wider conflict between themselves? i think it is both of those. there probably are people in israel who do have an interest on the israeli side in escalating things. it's our ben give ear —— itamar ben—gvir has posted a single word comments on social media simply saying, lame. you can tell from that he would have liked a much stronger response which

would have provoked a bigger iranian response and there are probably people on the israeli side who would like to see the us drawn into a conflict and deal with iran once and for all. that is not with the rest of the region wants. let's not forget, gaza is still ongoing. there are still a devastating conflict between israel and hamas, sparked by the 7th of october rate. gas it is in ruins, in rubble. you have over a million people, probably over 2 million people, probably over 2 million people, probably over 2 million people now displaced, over 33,000 people killed. the searchlight of focus is probably for the time being going to swing back onto gaza. . .. the time being going to swing back onto gaza. . ~ i ., i the time being going to swing back onto gaza. . ~' i ., i . let's speak to professor amin saikal, professor of middle eastern studies at australia national university and author of several books on iran.

we are hearing from frank there that these tit—for—tat strikes had not come to an end. what is your take on that? t come to an end. what is your take on that? “ i come to an end. what is your take on that? ~ ,, , that? i think my assessment is the same. it that? i think my assessment is the same- it looks _ that? i think my assessment is the same. it looks like _ that? i think my assessment is the same. it looks like iran _ that? i think my assessment is the same. it looks like iran went i that? i think my assessment is the same. it looks like iran went first i same. it looks like iran went first in trying to re—establish deterrence and also demonstrated is not a paper tiger, and now the israelis have responded and i think their response has been quite measured, from what so far. they have only targeted areas which have not caused much destruction or casualties. but at the same time let's not forget that the same time let's not forget that the iranian authorities had repeatedly said that if there was

any israeli attack on iranian soil or iranian assets in the region, then iran will respond 100 times heavier. but now it looks like the ball is in iran's court and how the iranian authorities would react, that remains to be seen. as frank gardner said, for the time being, this tit—for—tat is over, but it is not the end of the whole thing, which has been going on between iran and israel over a long period of time. ., . ., , . time. how about the domestic pressures _ time. how about the domestic pressures within _ time. how about the domestic pressures within iran - time. how about the domestic pressures within iran itself? i time. how about the domestic l pressures within iran itself? the government has its hardliners who want to take a tougher approach to israel. should iran decide not to strike back, how does iran handle those measures domestically? the

iranian those measures domestically? tte: iranian leadership will those measures domestically? tt2 iranian leadership will have those measures domestically? t't2 iranian leadership will have to explain to the iranian public. of course, as you know, the most powerful individual in the iranian powerful individual in the iranian power structure is the ayatollah khomeini. he will make the final decision on whether there should be a response to the israeli attack. i think he and many people around him, including the president, have made it clear in the past that they are not really interested in a war with israel and the united states, and that therefore they will do whatever they can to avoid that, but should israel retaliate then they would be prepared to counter that. i think we now have to wait and see what the supreme leader is going to decide

what the iranians were council, what recommendation they will make to the supreme leader. recommendation they will make to the supreme leader-— supreme leader. these explosions in isfahan have — supreme leader. these explosions in isfahan have brought _ supreme leader. these explosions in isfahan have brought to _ supreme leader. these explosions in isfahan have brought to focus - supreme leader. these explosions in isfahan have brought to focus iran'sl isfahan have brought to focus iran's nuclear programme. what we know about what is happening in terms of their nuclear programme? that about what is happening in terms of their nuclear programme?— their nuclear programme? that is very interesting, _ their nuclear programme? that is very interesting, because - their nuclear programme? that is very interesting, because prime i very interesting, because prime minister netanyahu has been edging for years to act against the iranian nuclear programme, he has put a lot of pressure on the united states not to revive the 2015 iran nuclear agreement, and therefore go very hard on iran on the issue. at this point it appears that israel has not really caused any damage to iranian

facilities in isfahan, and also for that matter elsewhere. israel knows that matter elsewhere. israel knows that if it attacks iranian nuclear facilities, and major military bases, then iran does have the capability to hit back, and hit back israel's nuclear plants. at this point there seems to be an understanding between tehran and jerusalem not to go as far as that, and therefore possibly contain the whole thing developing into a big war. . ~' whole thing developing into a big war. . ~ i ., i . whole thing developing into a big war. . ~' i . ., whole thing developing into a big war. . ~ i . ., ., war. thank you very much for 'oining us, war. thank you very much for 'oining professor. — with me is mohamed taha from bbc arabic. the latest that we are getting in

the last few minutes is coming from a senior iranian commander speaking to reuters, saying that iran has no plans for our retaliation against israel. what is your reaction to that? , , . ., . ., that? this is coming in the context of what is so _ that? this is coming in the context of what is so called _ that? this is coming in the context of what is so called strategic i of what is so called strategic patients. every party at the moment in this conflict is adopting strategic patients, whether it is iran, israel orthe strategic patients, whether it is iran, israel or the united states. now everybody is dealing as this incident as a security incident, not a military incident. we have seen many incidents like this before in iran, attacks close to nuclear facilities, killing iranian scientists and so on and so forth. an incident happened in isfahan before worth the iranians executed

so—called spies from israel because they said they had flown drones into a nuclearfacility. so a they said they had flown drones into a nuclear facility. so a very similar incident happened before. the iranians are saying this incident is similar, it is a security incident, not a military incident, it is not a missile from israel, there is nobody injured, life is normal, so this is bringing back the conflict between iran and israel to the square of the shadow wars and not the strategic deterrence that has been happening in the last couple of weeks. what in the last couple of weeks. what has the mood _ in the last couple of weeks. what has the mood been _ in the last couple of weeks. what has the mood been in _ in the last couple of weeks. what has the mood been in the - in the last couple of weeks. what has the mood been in the region? the prospect that these two countries would considerfighting each other for a prolonged period of time must have raised concerns.—

have raised concerns. indeed. if this conflict _ have raised concerns. indeed. if this conflict was _ have raised concerns. indeed. if this conflict was to _ have raised concerns. indeed. if this conflict was to be _ have raised concerns. indeed. if| this conflict was to be escalated, iran wanted to retaliate back and israel would strike again in the tit—for—tat war, that would be a widespread conflict, because iran has got its alliances in the region. iran has russia on its back, china on its back, and it has the proxy alliances in the region, hezbollah, hamas, and also the 80s. if a widespread conflict would happen, we would see a different picture, but the tone that we get at the moment, after the security incident as the australians —— as the as iranians are calling it, everybody is cooling down, returning back to the shadow wars where iranians will maybe attack is really facilities outside

israel, and israel were to interact attacks against iran and so on and so forth, we returned back to square one where gaza will be the focus of this conflict, where it all started, with more than 33,000 people killed, all the infrastructure in the cities and gaza destroyed, and business as usual in gas at this morning, we have more than 70 people killed in gas in the last21i hours, an attack on a school in a refugee camp, and people are suffering from lack of food and the humanitarian situation is deteriorating very much in gaza. thank you very much. let's get our view from our correspondent in washington, will vernon.

we still have this line that two us officials confirm to the bbc's partner in the us, cbs news, that an israeli missile hit iran. we don't have any more information about the scale of that attack. we just have this at least one israeli missile line. we asked the pentagon. they said that they weren't commenting at this time. and as we've been hearing, there's been quite conflicting reports coming out of iran about air defenses being activated, explosions, but also perhaps the iranians trying to play it down. so not much information at this point. we know that the israelis have carried out some sort of retaliation, but it's not clear at the momentjust on what scale that retaliation is. and, will, a source is being reported by reuters telling them that the americans were given advanced warning of this.

what we believe is this missile strike in iran. just tell us about what kind of coordination or what kind of information sharing there would be between american and israeli officials. well, there's a huge amount of communication between israel and america. we saw the extent of that last sunday, when iran launched that unprecedented large scale attack on israel, over 300 drones and missiles fired at the country, 99% of those shot down. we saw the extremely close coordination between america and israel. israel is america's most important ally in the middle east. america guarantees israeli security as the biggest supplier of military supplies, over $3 billion a year in military aid to the country. i mean, it really is an incredibly close relationship. and, of course, there are thousands of american troops stationed in the region. for several days now, the us, both publicly and privately, has been calling on the israelis to de—escalate, to calm tensions after that attack on sunday.

we know that president biden in a phone call to benjamin netanyahu, the israeli prime minister, said that america wouldn't support any direct military strike on iran. we know that mr biden essentially said to mr netanyahu, look, you're winning here. you're looking strong, iran's looking weak. take that win and de—escalate tensions in the name of regional security. so i think the americans were expecting some sort of response by israel, but they were hoping it would be sufficiently small scale in order to avoid any escalation. it appears, if the situation that we're seeing at the moment stays the way it is, essentially it seems that that response has been quite small scale, doesn't it? so perhaps the pressure that was put on israel by the americans, by britain and other allies to limit

or even abandon its response, perhaps that pressure has reaped results because it would appear, wouldn't it, that this retaliation isn't as large scale as some had feared? ijust want i just want to bring you ijust want to bring you some new lines coming into the bbc newsroom. this is a comment from the european commission president, ursula von der leyen. she called on iran, israel and its allies to refrain from escalation in the middle east. she went on to say it was necessary that the region remained stable and that all sides restrain from further action. that was reaction there from the european commission president, ursula von der leyen, on this breaking news that there has been a strike in the central province of

isfahan in iran. we do have a live page on the bbc website. this is where you can go to get analysis, fresh updates from the region. you are watching bbc news. stay with us, we will have more on this breaking news from the middle east. hello there. some beautiful rainbows spotted again on thursday, particularly across parts of scotland, such as here in aberdeenshire. there will be more rainbows on friday with sunshine and showers still very much the theme of the day, but lots more dry weather to come in the forecast as we head through the weekend and into the start of next week. with high pressure starting to edge in from the west, killing off some of those showers by the time we get to the end of the afternoon. it's a cloudy, mild start to the day across england and wales.

it's a little brighter further north across scotland and northern ireland. the focus of the showers gradually shifting further southwards as we head through the afternoon across the midlands, down through central and southern england. there will be quite a brisk and a chilly northerly to north—westerly wind blowing, lightening again by the time we get to the end of the day. and quite a range of temperatures too, just eight degrees celsius in aberdeenshire with that northerly wind, but 15 celsius across the south—west of england. as we head through friday night, the skies will clear and, away from north sea—facing coasts, which stay rather cloudy and breezy, then we could again see a touch of frost with temperatures dropping back to low single figures. so another chilly start to the weekend. the weekend — a lot of dry weather. in fact, it is looking mostly dry. we'll see some rain across scotland. there will be quite a bit of cloud around at times, especially towards the east. and a bit of an east—west split in terms of temperature. with that high pressure over us, then we're drawing in quite a chilly north—easterly wind to those north sea—facing coasts,

so here it's always going to feel cooler and there will be quite a lot of cloud around, as well. the north sea really quite cold at this time of year. so west is best in terms of sunshine amounts and temperature, certainly. as we head through saturday, there's a warm front gradually easing its way across the far north of scotland. this will bring some clouds and outbreaks of rain. further south, it is largely dry, but cloudy, drizzly, perhaps towards these north sea—facing coats. the best of the sunshine out towards the west. it will get to 1a or 15 degrees celsius perhaps here. some of the cloud could break up a little further eastwards too, and that's also true on sunday, but temperatures towards these eastern coastal areas will really struggle to get much past eight or nine degrees celsius. compare that to further west, where in parts of northern ireland we could get to 17 degrees, perhaps. feeling warmer here.

live from london, this is bbc news. explosions are heard in the iranian city of isfahan. us officials say it's israel's response to this week's attack. an iranian official says there is no plan for immediate retaliation and state tv says there is no damage reported. this is a live shot of tel aviv. we're starting to get international reaction. downing street says israel has

"a right to self—defence". hello. in what seems to be a major ratcheting up of the conflict in the middle east, explosions have been heard in iran. two us officials have confirmed to our broadcast partner cbs news that it was an attack from israel. state television in iran reported explosions near an army base and an airport in the central city of isfahan, activating local air defence systems. blasts have also been reported in the country's north—west. video online shows iranian defence missiles being fired into the air. commercial flights were initially diverted around iranian airspace, but iranian media say all restrictions have now been lifted. the international atomic energy agency has confirmed there is no damage to iran's nuclearfacilities. in a social media post the agency's director general, rafael mariano grossi, continued to call for extreme

restraint from everybody and said nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts.