Israel To Iran: You Will Pay A Price

Chilling threat as fears of an all-out conflict grow | UK helps as both sides urged to show restraint

- CHRIS HUGHES

ISRAEL last night warned Iran would suffer a massive backlash for its missile and drone attack, as the Middle East teeters on the brink of all-out war.

And there were fears Britain could be dragged into any wider conflict after Rishi Sunak sent RAF warplanes to help repel Tehran's onslaught.

Experts warn tit-for-tat strikes between the two countries may explode into a war that will spark further bloodshed in a region already devastated by the carnage in Gaza.

World leaders urged Tehran to pull back from the brink and also warned Israel to show restraint to avoid the crisis spiralling out of control.

But Israeli officials were already briefing that a retaliatory attack would be launched against Iran "within 48 hours". War cabinet minister Benny Gantz said: "We will build a regional coalition and exact the price from Iran in the fashion and timing that is right for us."

Israel President Isaac Herzog called Iran's attack a "declaration of war" and said: "We are considering our options, I am confident we will take steps to protect our people."

But US President Joe Biden made "very clear" to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu "that we do have to think carefully and strategically about risks of escalation".

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said his country has no intention of continuing the military operation against Israel, but warned: "If necessary, it will not hesitate to protect its legitimate interests against any new aggression."

Tehran sent 300 missiles and drones to hit Israel on its Saturday, from homeland and its proxies in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen. It is the first time Tehran has directly targeted the country.