Iran is warned not to escalate conflict

IRAN warned it had a duty to retaliate after Israel unleashed a series of pre-dawn airstrikes on military sites yesterday with world leaders pleading with Tehran not to respond.

- Tony Whitfield

The latest tit-for-tat raid raised fears of an escalation, pushing both sides into all-out war and sparking a wider regional conflict.

Britain yesterday led calls for Tehran not to hit back. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "I am clear that Israel has the right to defend itself against Iranian aggression and I am equally clear that we need to avoid further regional escalation and urge all sides to show restraint."

He added: "Iran should not respond. We will continue to work with allies to deescalate the situation across the region." US President Joe Biden weighed in, saying simply: "I hope this is the end." German Chancellor Olaf Scholz declared: "My message to Iran is clear. We cannot continue with massive reactions of escalation. This must end now." Dozens of Israeli fighter jets targeted Iranian military air defence sites and facilities used to make or store missiles and drones in overnight air raids.

The operation, code-named "Days of Repentance", was in response to the October 1 attacks by Iran when a barrage of 180 missiles and drones rained down on Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.