Britain must accept “we’re now involved” in the Middle East conflict after RAF warplanes joined the mission to shoot down Iranian drones targeted at Israel, a former defence minister has said.

UK has refused to say whether its jets intercepted any drones.

Tobias Ellwood, a former defence minister and former chair of the Commons defence committee, warned “nobody was in full control” of the escalating conflict as increasing numbers of countries were sucked into it.

His comments came after Iran mounted an unprecedented attack on Israel by firing more than 300 drones and cruise and ballistic missiles into Israel on Saturday night.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed UK warplanes in Iraq and Syria had been deployed to intercept “any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions.”

Mr Ellwood said: “It’s very clear that Britain will stand with Israel to help defend its guys and its soil along with the United States as well. But we need to recognise we’re now involved in this too.”

No single power in control 

He said the Iranian strikes on Israel took the regional conflict into “new dangerous territory”.

“There’s no doubt that this conflict in the Middle East is escalating with no single power in control of where this is heading,” he said.

“Iran has long engaged in a shadow war with Israel, but both sides usually carefully avoid direct engagement. So this attack by Iran, rather than using its proxies, takes us into a new, dangerous territory. A new worrying precedent has now been set.”

Speaking on Sky News, Victoria Atkins, the Health Secretary, called on Israel and Iran to “de-escalate” the conflict.

She said the UK Government was putting “all of our efforts” into de-escalation in the Middle East, saying no one wanted to see a “miscalculation or an escalation.”

Her appeal came ahead of a call between G7 leaders on Sunday, as she confirmed the Prime Minister had already been engaged in calls with his international counterparts over the morning.

She disclosed an emergency Cobra meeting had been held on Friday with the Prime Minister being updated on the Iranian attack through Saturday night as well as being briefed on the deployment of the RAF jets.

Speaking on Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, Ms Atkins said: “All of our efforts at the moment are on de-escalating this. We do not want a miscalculation or an escalation in events because we know that that will take its toll.”

She repeated the UK Government’s call for an immediate humanitarian pause to allow the return of hostages held by Hamas following the Oct 7 terrorist attack and for aid to be sent into Gaza.

Ms Atkins refused to say whether UK jets had shot down any drones, adding that she could not provide a running commentary on a “live operation.”

“The Prime Minister held a Cobra meeting on Friday, he was kept updated throughout yesterday and last night and has had calls already this morning, and there is planned to be a G7 leaders call later today,” Ms Atkins said.

Ms Atkins said the “circle of knowledge” on the conflict in the Middle East has to be “very, very tight”, when asked whether the Cabinet was consulted before RAF planes were deployed to protect Israel.

Speaking to the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme, the Health Secretary added: “Of course there are relevant Cabinet ministers in that (Cobra) meeting.

“You will appreciate the circle of knowledge on this has to be very, very tight because of the sensitivities and the danger that is involved for everyone in the region.”

Asked whether the Government would proscribe the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, she said: “We keep all of these issues under constant review.”

Iran attack foiled as RAF jets help shoot down 330 drones and missiles fired at Israel 

The RAF helped shoot down over 300 missiles and drones fired by Iran at Israel last night as fears of wider regional war grow.

Sirens wailed and heavy thuds and bangs were heard from what local media called aerial interceptions of explosive drones on Saturday night. Several ballistic missiles reached Israeli territory, causing minor damage to an air base.

Reports in Israel suggested RAF and US warplanes had shot down some Israel-bound Iranian drones over the Iraq-Syria border area.

The UK’s Ministry of Defence said aircraft in Iraq and Syria had been deployed to intercept “any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions”.

The Israeli military said on Sunday that Iran’s attack had been “foiled”, with 99 percent of the drones and missiles being intercepted overnight.

The attack came amid rising tensions following an attack on the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus.

Tehran had vowed retaliation for the strike earlier this month which killed several of its senior military leaders even as the US and its allies made intense diplomatic efforts to try and contain the fallout.

Key Points

• Iran sends hundreds of drones and missiles towards Israel

• IDF vows to try to prevent missiles reaching Israeli territory

• Benjamin Netanyahu pictured convening war cabinet

• More than 99 per cent Iranian projectiles intercepted, Israel claims

• Israel airspace reopens, airport authority says

• Joe Biden condemns Iran’s attack, plans G7 coordination

Sunak to join G7 leaders in urgent talks after Iran attacks Israel

11:07 , Athena Stavrou

G7 leaders are to hold urgent talks after Iran launched an unprecedented attack on Israel that saw RAF jets deployed to shoot down drones from Tehran.

Rishi Sunak is expected to join US President Joe Biden on the call on Sunday amid fears of further escalation in the event of a possible Israeli counter-strike.

Britain and the US have offered staunch support for Israel, with the Ministry of Defence saying RAF warplanes in Iraq and Syria had been deployed to intercept “any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions”.

Israeli war cabinet to meet at 12:30 GMT, says Israeli official

10:38 , Athena Stavrou

Israel’s war cabinet is due to meet at 3:30pm (12:30pm GMT) to discuss a response to the drone and missile attack launched by Iran overnight, an Israeli official said.

Watch: Explosions light up Amman sky as Iran launches dozens of missiles and drones at Israel

10:18 , Brian Alford

Iran launched dozens of missiles and drones toward Israel in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Residents reported seeing missiles in the sky and hearing explosions, likely from interceptions above the Jordanian capital.

The Israeli military says Iran fired more than 100 bomb-carrying drones toward Israel.

Hours later, Iran announced it had also launch much more destructive ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.

Iran had been threatening to attack Israel after an airstrike earlier this week widely blamed on Israel destroyed Iran’s consulate in Syria, killing 12 people, including two elite Iranian generals.

Watch here:

Victoria Atkins said the “circle of knowledge” on the conflict in the Middle East has to be “very, very tight”

10:14 , Zoe Grunewald

The health secretary has been tight-lipped about the UK response to Iran when asked whether the Cabinet was consulted before RAF planes were deployed to protect Israel.

Speaking to the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme, the Health Secretary said: “Of course there are relevant Cabinet ministers in that (Cobra) meeting.

“You will appreciate the circle of knowledge on this has to be very, very tight because of the sensitivities and the danger that is involved for everyone in the region.”

Asked whether the Government would proscribe the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, she said: “We keep all of these issues under constant review.”

Ms Atkins said she is “not in a position to confirm or deny” whether British jets have already shot down Iranian drones.

Labour backs government action in Middle East

09:50 , Athena Stavrou

Labour has backed the UK Government action taken overnight to help protect Israel.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “Let’s be clear, we support the existing Government missions in the Middle East and continue to do so.

“That is important. We also think that it is important that action was taken overnight to prevent the Iranian strikes on Israel because we should be clear that if action hadn’t been taken to prevent those strikes, we would have seen further escalation and further risk of widening conflict.”

Irish premier condemns Iran attack

09:45 , Athena Stavrou

Irish premier Simon Harris has condemned Iran’s drone and missile attack on Israel.

“I strongly condemn Iran’s reckless and large-scale attack on Israel,” Mr Harris said in a statement.

“I urge all sides to show restraint now and to avoid any escalation in military action and the devastation that would cause.”

Biden ‘won’t support’ Israeli attack on Iran

09:12

President Biden reportedly told Benjamin Netanyahu during a call on Saturday that the US won’t support any Israeli counterattack on Iran, a senior White House official told Axios.

Citing the official, Axios reported that Biden told Netanyahu: “You got a win. Take the win.”

The official also reportedly said that Netanyahu said he understood Biden’s position.

UK ‘very consistent’ in support for Israel, says Health Secretary

09:01 , Athena Stavrou

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said the UK has been “very consistent” in supporting Israel, but said that the UK has “joined with international partners and saying, actually the best thing for Israel, and for the region is for there to be an immediate humanitarian pause, so that we can get hostages out…get humanitarian aid into Gaza as quickly as possible”.

When asked why Israel attacked Damascus, Ms Atkins said we was “very cautious about daring to speculate what other international leaders may have been considering” and added that there will have been “many, many conversations ongoing…between our allies and international partners”.

Victoria Atkins urges British nationals in the Middle East to look at the Foreign Office website

08:55 , Athena Stavrou

The health secretary Victoria Atkins has urged “anyone who in the region” to look at the Foreign Office website.

Talking to Trevor Phillips on Sky, she said there are “different pieces of advice for different parts of the region”, but urged any travellers to look at the FCDO website.

She added: “We’ve been quite clear for a while now as to which areas it is not safe to travel to, and so I really urge people to look at a website for the most up to date information.”

Ed Davey says Iran attack is ‘dangerous escalation’

08:52 , Athena Stavrou

The leader of the Liberal Democrats has said the UK must work “stand up for Israel’s security” and called for an end to the “horrifying cycle of violence”.

In a statement released by the Lib Dems, Mr Davey said: “We utterly condemn Iran’s attack on Israel. This is a dangerous escalation in a conflict that has already caused far too much death and suffering.“

The UK must work with the international community to stand up for Israel’s security and the security of our other partners in the region.

“We must prevent further escalation and remain focused on finally achieving a lasting peace, so that Israeli and Palestinian children – both – can grow up free of the horrifying cycle of violence that has endured for so long.”

RAF jets shoot down Iranian drones

08:23 , Athena Stavrou

RAF jets have been used to shoot down Iranian drones after Tehran announced it had launched an attack on Israel in what threatens to become a major regional escalation.

Aircraft in Iraq and Syria have been deployed to intercept “any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions,” the Ministry of Defence said.

In a late-night statement on Saturday, the MoD said: “In response to increased Iranian threats and the growing risk of escalation in the Middle East, the UK Government has been working with partners across the region to encourage de-escalation and prevent further attacks.

“We have moved several additional Royal Air Force jets and air refuelling tankers to the region. These will bolster Operation Shader, which is the UK’s existing counter-Daesh operation in Iraq and Syria.

“In addition, these UK jets will intercept any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions, as required.”

Statement from Defense Minister Yoav Gallant

07:56 , Athena Stavrou

The Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant issued a statement on Sunday morning upon completing an operational situation assessment following Iran’s overnight attack.

He said: “Overnight, the whole world saw the true face of Iran – a terrorist state that attacked the State of Israel from a distance of 1,500 km and in doing so also attempted to employ all of its proxies.

“On the other hand, the world also saw the power of a coalition, and how Israel, together with the United States and additional partners, stood together and thwarted this attack in a way that is unparalleled.”

This morning (Sunday, 14 April 2024) Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant completed an operational situation assessment together with senior officials in Israel’s defense establishment.

Minister Gallant: “I have recently completed an operational situation assessment with senior members of Israel’s defense establishment. The State of Israel was attacked [by Iran] with hundreds of missiles and UAVs, and the IDF thwarted this attack in an impressive manner.”

“Together with the United States and additional partners, we managed to defend the territory of the State of Israel. Very little damage was caused – this is the result of the IDF’s impressive operations.”

“The campaign is not over yet – we must remain alert and attentive to the instructions published by the IDF and Homefront Command. We must be prepared for every scenario. Having said this, we have thwarted the most significant wave [of the attack], and we did so successfully.”

Iran warns Israel and US against retaliation

07:47 , Athena Stavrou

Iran warned Israel of a larger attack on its territory should it retaliate against Tehran’s overnight drone and missile attack on Sunday, adding that Washington has been warned not to back Israeli military action.

“Our response will be much larger than tonight’s military action if Israel retaliates against Iran,” armed forces chief of staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri told state TV.

He added that Tehran warned Washington that any backing of Israeli retaliation would result in US bases being targeted.

The commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami, also warned Tehran would retaliate against any Israeli attack on its interests, officials or citizens.

Live: Middle East flight track after Iran launches drone and missile strike on Israel

07:42 , Athena Stavrou

Watch a live flight track of the Middle East on Flightradar.com today (14 April), after Iran launched a drone and missile strike on Israel.

Iran launched explosive drones and fired ballistic and cruise missiles at Israel late Saturday night in its first direct attack on Israeli territory, a retaliatory strike that raised fears of a wider regional war.

The attack came amid rising tensions following an attack on the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus.

Iran warns of larger attack if Israel retaliates

07:38 , Athena Stavrou

Iran’s armed forces chief of staff has warned that if Israel retaliates, Iran’s response will be larger than last night’s attack, Iranian news agency Tasnim reported.

Israeli military says France helped in defence against Iranian attack

07:23 , Athena Stavrou

Israel’s chief military spokesperson said on Sunday that France was among the countries involved in defending against Iran’s overnight attack on Israel.

“France has very good technology, jets, radar - and I know they were contributing in patrolling airspace,” he said, adding that he did not have exact details on whether French jets had shot down any of the missiles launched by Iran.

US helps Israel ‘take down nearly all’ drones and missiles

06:58 , Namita Singh

Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken to Joe Biden, who said he had “reaffirmed America’s ironclad commitment to the security of Israel”.

Mr Biden said the US had helped Israel to “take down nearly all” of the drones and missiles.

He said: “I told him that Israel demonstrated a remarkable capacity to defend against and defeat even unprecedented attacks – sending a clear message to its foes that they cannot effectively threaten the security of Israel.”

“While we have not seen attacks on our forces or facilities today, we will remain vigilant to all threats and will not hesitate to take all necessary action to protect our people.”

ICYMI: What is Israel’s multilayered air-defense system?

06:40 , Namita Singh

The incoming attack by Iranian drones and ballistic missiles posed the latest challenge to Israel’s air defense system, which already has been working overtime to cope with incoming rocket, drone and missile attacks throughout the six-month war against Hamas.

Here’s a closer look at Israel’s multilayered air-defense system:

Jordan reopens its airspace after Iran attack

06:39 , Namita Singh

Jordan reopened its airspace after closing it late yesterday after Iran launched drone and missile attacks against Israel, state TV said on Sunday, citing Jordanian aviation authorities.

Israel airspace reopens, airport authority says

06:24 , Namita Singh

Israel reopened its airspace as of 7.30am today, the country’s airports authority said after an overnight attack by hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones.

It said flight schedules from Tel Aviv were expected to be affected and travellers should check flight times.

China ‘deeply concerned’ about escalation after Iran strikes Israel

06:16 , Namita Singh

China is “deeply concerned” about escalating tensions in the Middle East after Iran launched drones and missiles in a retaliatory strike against Israel, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Sunday.

Iran’s strikes marked its first direct attack on Israeli territory, raising the threat of a wider conflict in the region where China has sought to play a role as a mediator and from where it sources a growing proportion of its energy imports.

“China calls on relevant parties to remain calm and exercise restraint to avoid further escalation of tensions,” the spokesperson said in a statement posted on the ministry’s website.

“China calls on the international community, especially influential countries, to play a constructive role in maintaining regional peace and stability,” the spokesperson said.The Chinese foreign ministry’s spokesperson said that this round of tensions was a “spillover from the Gaza conflict,” adding that quelling it as soon as possible was “a top priority”.

Iran undertook a grave action pushing escalation in region, says Israel

05:40 , Namita Singh

Iran undertook a “very grave” action that pushes the region toward escalation, said Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari in a televised address.

More than 99 per cent Iranian projectiles intercepted, Israel claims

05:30 , Namita Singh

Iran launched more than 300 projectiles at Israel overnight, the Israeli military said.

More than 99 per cent of them were intercepted, it claimed.

Biden pledges G7 response, US support for Israel after Iran attacks

04:52 , Namita Singh

President Joe Biden condemned Iranian attacks on military facilities in Israel, pledged a coordinated G7 diplomatic response and said the United States had helped Israel take down “nearly all” of the attacking drones and missiles.

The US forces and facilities had not been hit, said Mr Biden.

The president said he reiterated the ironclad US support for Israel’s security in a call with prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with whom he has had strained relations over Israel’s handling of the war in Gaza.

“I told him that Israel demonstrated a remarkable capacity to defend against and defeat even unprecedented attacks, sending a clear message to its foes that they cannot effectively threaten the security of Israel,” Mr Biden said in a statement released by the White House.

“Tomorrow, I will convene my fellow G7 leaders to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack,” he said.

Mr Biden said he had directed the US military to move aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to the region over the course of the past week.

“Thanks to these deployments and the extraordinary skill of our servicemembers, we helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles,” he said.

China calls for calm and restraint

04:34 , Namita Singh

China is deeply concerned about the current escalation of the situation, the country’s foreign ministry said about Iran’s strike on Israel.

It called on all relevant parties to remain calm and exercise restraint to avoid further escalation.

India calls for de-escalation as Iran attacks Israel

04:28 , Namita Singh

The Indian government issued a statement about “the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran which threatens the peace and security in the region”.

“We call for immediate de-escalation, exercise of restraint, stepping back from violence and return to the path of diplomacy,” said the ministry of external affairs.

RAF jets deployed to shoot down Iranian drones heading to Israel

04:17 , Namita Singh

RAF jets have been used to shoot down Iranian drones after Tehran announced it had launched an attack on Israel.

Aircraft in Iraq and Syria have been deployed to intercept “any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions,” the Ministry of Defense said.

Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said most of the drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles had been shot down outside the country’s borders with warplanes intercepting more than 10 cruise missiles.

He said a few missiles had reached Israel with a seven-year-old girl critically injured in the south of the country and light damage to an army base.

Report:

Biden condemns Iran’s attacks on Israel, plans G7 coordination

04:14 , Namita Singh

US president Joe Biden condemned Iran’s attacks against Israel and said he had spoken with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reaffirm America’s “ironclad commitment” to the security of Israel.

“Tomorrow, I will convene my fellow G7 leaders to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack,” Mr Biden said in a statement, referring to the group of seven major develped economies.

Breaking: US says military shot down dozens of Iranian missiles bound for Israel

04:11 , Namita Singh

As well as knocking down drones, the US military shot down dozens of Iranian missiles bound for Israel in keeping with its pledge to defend its Middle East ally, three US official said.

Two of the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said some of the missiles were shot down by the US Navy.

The US military rushed to help as Iran launched explosive drones and missiles in its first direct attack on Israeli territory, a retaliatory strike for the suspected Israeli attack on an Iranian consulate in Syria that raised the threat of a wider regional conflict.

Biden meets national security team at White House

04:00 , Namita Singh

Joe Biden cut short a weekend stay at his Delaware beach house to meet with his national security team at the White House yesterday afternoon, returning to Washington minutes before Israeli officials confirmed that they had detected drones being launched toward their territory from Iran.

He convened a principals meeting of the National Security Council in the White House Situation Room to discuss the unfolding situation, the White House said, before speaking with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The attack marked the first time Iran has launched a direct military assault on Israel, risking a wider regional conflict.

The Pentagon reported that defense secretary Lloyd Austin had spoken with his Israeli counterpart “to discuss urgent regional threats ... and made clear that Israel could count on full US support to defend Israel against any attacks by Iran and its regional proxies”.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan also spoke with his counterpart to reinforce Washington’s “ironclad commitment to the security of Israel”.

National security council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement that “Iran has begun an airborne attack against Israel.” She added: “The United States will stand with the people of Israel and support their defense against these threats from Iran.”

US shoots down Iranian attack drones

03:52 , Namita Singh

President Joe Biden and his national security team monitored Iran’s aerial attack against Israel as US forces joined efforts to down explosive-laden drones launched by Tehran.

With tensions at their highest since the Israel-Hamas war began six months ago, Mr Biden pledged that American support for Israel’s defense against attacks by Iran and its proxies is “ironclad”.

The US forces shot down some Iran-launched attack drones flying toward Israel, according to a US defense official and two other US officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the matter.

The US and Israel had been bracing for an attack for days after Iran vowed to retaliate for a suspected Israeli strike this month on an Iranian consular building in Syria that killed 12 people, including two senior Iranian generals in the Revolutionary Guard’s elite Quds Force.

The US defense official said the effort to intercept Iran’s attack was continuing.

Biden and Netanyahu speak by phone

02:42 , Andrew Feinberg

President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have spoken by telephone.

The White House said Mr Biden and Mr Netanyahu spoke this evening.

The Prime Minister’s office also confirmed the phone call and release a photograph of Mr Netanyahu holding a telephone handset to his ear.

Biden meets with advisers in White House Situation Room

02:00 , Andrew Feinberg

The White House has released this photograph of President Biden meeting with advisers in the White House situation room.

According to a White House official, the meeting included Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Q. Brown, Director Bill Burns, Director Avril Haines, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer, Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall, Counselor to the President Steve Ricchetti and National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk.

Vice President Kamala Harris and White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients also joined the meeting by secure video link.

IDF says ‘vast majority’ of Iranian cruise missiles intercepted

01:54 , Andrew Feinberg

In a statement, the Israeli Defense Force said it had identified “dozens of surface-to-surface missile launches from Iran” on the way to Israeli territory.

The IDF said its’ “Ariel Defense Array” has “successfully intercepted the majority of the launches using the ‘Arrow’ Aerial Defense System” in concert with “Israel’s strategic allies” before any of the missiles could cross into Israeli territory.

“A small number of hits were identified, including at an IDF base in southern Israel, where minor damage was caused to infrastructure,” the IDF said.

The statement also said “many dozens of hostile aircraft” were identified and intercepted by “dozens” of Israeli Air Force fights which are currently operating in the area “to intercept all aerial threats approaching Israeli territory”.

US Defence Secretary has spoken with Israeli Defence Minister

01:44 , Andrew Feinberg

According to the Israeli Ministry of Defence, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant “recently completed a call” with his US counterpart, Secretary Lloyd Austin.

The ministry said Mr Gallant “briefed the Secretary about Israel’s defensive operations in the face of Iran’s attack, and emphasized that the defense establishment is prepared for any further attempts to attack the State of Israel” and “expressed his appreciation to Secretary Austin for his leadership and for standing with Israel”.

The readout of the call also included this photograph of Mr Gallant holding a telephone to his ear.

US orders Jerusalem-based employees to shelter in place

01:41 , Andrew Feinberg

Citing “incoming UAVs and missiles from Iran and Iranian proxies,” the US State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has directed “all US government employees and their family members” to shelter in place, according to a post on X (formerly Twitter) from the bureau’s official account.

Senate Republican leader calls for Biden to lead ‘international effort’ against Tehran

01:29 , Andrew Feinberg

Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, the upper chamber’s top Republican, has issued a statement urging President Joe Biden to “match wor