Iran-Israel attack live: Tel Aviv warns conflict ‘not over yet’ after downing drones and missiles from Tehran

RAF jets shot down “a number of” Iranian drones, Rishi Sunak said as he warned the fallout would have been “hard to overstate” if missiles launched in Tehran’s unprecedented attack on Israel were not largely intercepted.

The prime minister called for “calm heads to prevail” following the overnight assault on Sunday (14 April) and ahead of a meeting of G7 leaders amid fears of further escalation in the event of a possible Israeli counter-strike.

Speaking to journalists in Downing Street, Mr Sunak confirmed RAF warplanes based in Syria and Iraq had been deployed to protect Israel, adding that lives had been saved “in neighbouring countries such as Jordan as well”.

Tehran has said it believes the confrontation between the two adversaries concluded, writes Kim Sengupta, with Western nations urging restraint as they await Israel’s decision:

White House spokesman John Kirby said on NBC’s Meet the Press that repelling the mass drone attack had been a “incredible military achievement” by Israel and its partners and had shown how Israel is not isolated on the world stage.

“Now, whether and how the Israelis will respond, that’s going to be up to them. We understand that and respect that. But the president’s been very clear: we don’t seek a war with Iran.”

The Islamic Republic’s mission to the United Nations said its actions were aimed at punishing “Israeli crimes”, but that it now “deemed the matter concluded”.

Iranian army chief of staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri warned on television that “our response will be much larger than tonight’s military action if Israel retaliates against Iran” and told Washington its bases could also be attacked if it helped Israel retaliate.

Responding to the Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel last night, the Liberal Democrat Defence Spokesperson Richard Foord MP said: “Liberal Democrats condemn in the strongest terms possible Iran’s attack on Israel. We support the action by the RAF to intercept Iranian attack drones.

It is right that the UK calls for calm heads to prevail; leaders must exercise restraint and work towards a lasting peace.

“It is a crucial convention that Parliament should have an opportunity to approve military action, even when that action has happened already. The Government should uphold that principle by holding a debate and a vote in the House of Commons as soon as possible.”

Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz said that “the event is not over” as he speaks out following Iran’s attack on Israel.

“We will build a regional coalition against the threat of Iran, and we will exact a price from it in the way and at the time that suits us,” he told Israeli news broadcaster Kans.

Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf has called on the international community to “demand” players in the region abide by UN Security Council resolutions.

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Yousaf said he “condemns” Iran’s attempted attack on Israel as he has “all and every regional escalation”.

“There is not going to be a military solution to the conflict we see in the Middle East, there is only going to be a political and diplomatic solution,” he said.

“We know that violence begets violence and therefore it’s imperative now that the international community demand – not request, but demand – that all parties abide by UN security resolutions, such as a call for an immediate ceasefire (in Gaza).”

The First Minister added: “We can’t afford to see any more loss of life, because innocent civilians have already had to pay far too high a price for the actions of a number of countries and therefore we need to see de-escalation as opposed to further escalation in the region.”

he Dutch government on Sunday advised against all travel to Israel due to the uncertain security situation following overnight air strikes by Iran.

“Iran and a number of allies carried out airstrikes against Israel with missiles and drones. It cannot be ruled out that further attacks may follow,” the Foreign Ministry said in an updated travel advisory.

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

Ms Atkins was asked whether the Cabinet was consulted before RAF planes were deployed to protect Israel agains the Iran attack when she appeared on BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme today.

She replied: “Of course there are relevant Cabinet ministers in that (Cobra) meeting.”

Iran notified its neighbours of its strikes on Israel 72 hours in advance, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said on Sunday.

“About 72 hours prior to our operations, we informed our friends and neighbours in the region that Iran’s response against Israel was certain, legitimate, and irrevocable,” Amirabdollahian said at a press conference.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said of Iran’s attack on Israel: “This was a dangerous and unnecessary attack.”

“It’s clear that Iran is determined to sew discord” in the region “in their own back yard”, he added.

“If (the attack was) successful the fallout for regional stability would be hard to overstate.”