Summary

  • US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says Washington expects to impose new sanctions on Iran "in the coming days" following its attack on Israel

  • Israel is calling for sanctions to be imposed on Iran's missile project. Tel Aviv's foreign minister says he has written to 32 countries calling for restrictions

  • A wave of missiles and drones were fired from Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen on Saturday, with most being downed by Israel and its allies

  • Tehran said the attack was retaliation for the presumed Israeli air strike on its consulate in Syria on 1 April, in which 13 people were killed

  • Since the Israel-Gaza war erupted six months ago, Israel has ramped up its targeting of Iran over its funding and arming of Hamas

  • The Israeli military says it has killed a Hezbollah commander in a strike in Lebanon. Hezbollah confirmed the death, without providing further details of his rank or how he was killed

  • Meanwhile in Gaza, Israeli forces have begun a military operation in Beit Hanoun, a town in the north east of the strip

Live Reporting

Edited by Marita Moloney

  1. Analysis

    How do Iran and Israel’s military strengths match up?

    Jonathan Beale
    Defence correspondent

    Israeli soldiers stand next to military vehicles, near the Israel-Gaza border, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Israel, April 15, 2024.Reuters

    Iran is much bigger than Israel geographically and has a population of nearly 90 million, almost 10 times as big as Israel's - but this does not translate into greater military power.

    Iran has invested heavily in missiles and drones. It has a vast arsenal of its own but has also been supplying significant amounts to its proxies - the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

    What it lacks is modern air defence systems and fighter jets. Russia is believed to be co-operating with Iran to improve those, in return for the military support Tehran has provided Moscow in its war with Ukraine - largely in the form of Shahed drones which the Russians are reportedly now manufacturing themselves.

    By contrast, Israel has one of the most advanced air forces in the world. According to the IISS military balance, Israel has at least 14 squadrons of jets - including F15, F16 and the latest F-35 stealth jets.

    Israel also has experience of conducting strikes deep inside hostile territory.

  2. Iran's strikes and how they were thwarted

    Sirens sounded in Jerusalem as objects were shot down from the sky

    In the middle of Saturday night, air raid alerts went off in Israel and residents were urged to seek shelter. Explosions were heard as air defences were activated. It's the first time that Iran has fired at Israeli territory.

    Interceptions lit up the night sky in several places across the country, while many of the strikes were shot down by Israel's allies before they reached Israeli territory.

    The Israeli military said the next day that Iran had launched more than 300 drones and missiles.

    At least nine countries were involved - with projectiles fired from Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen and downed by Israel, the US, the UK and France as well as Jordan.

    For more about the attacks, head to our explainer here.

  3. Israel weighs up response after Iran attack

    Emily McGarvey
    Live reporter

    Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the latest developments from the Middle East, as Israel weighs up its response after Iran’s attack on Saturday.

    Israel’s war cabinet met to discuss its response yesterday but did not say whether a decision had been reached.

    World leaders have strongly condemned Iran's actions, but urged Benjamin Netanyahu's government to show restraint.

    The Israeli military’s chief of staff said the attack "will be met with a response".

    Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is due to speak to Netanyahu to discuss how to prevent "further escalation".

    Stick with us as we bring you the latest.