Irans unprecedented attack, at a time and in a manner of their own choosing. In tehran some supporters of the iranian government celebrate the attack. Iran says it has no intention of further strikes, but threatens a heavier assault if israel launches reprisal. Hello, im Samantha Simmonds welcome to the programme. We start with the latest developments. The white house has said it doesnt want to see the crisis in the middle east escalate after iran carried out its first ever direct attack on israel. A us security spokesman, john kirby, said washington was not seeking a wider war. He told Meet The Press on nbc that it would be up to israel whether or how to respond but the us wouldnt take part in any attack on iran. The israeli war cabinet has been meeting to discuss its response to the attack. A senior minister, benny gantz, said israel would exact a price from iran in its own time and fashion. The Defence Minister, yoav gallant, said the confrontation with iran wasnt over, and israel must prepare for every scenario. Iran has warned of a much bigger response if israel retaliates. A meeting of g7 leaders, called by President Biden, has unanimously condemned the iranian attack and called on both sides to exercise restraint. The group said they stood � ready to take measures� in response to further destabilisation by iran. The Israeli Military has announced it will be calling up two Reserve Brigades for operations in gaza. In the last hour, a spokesperson for israels defence forces, Daniel Hagari held a News Conference on those attacks. Lets have a listen. Last night, a defensive collation of israel and its International Partners successfully thwarted a large scale attack from iran. Iran and its proxies launched approximately 350 suicide drones, Cruise Missiles and Ballistic Missiles and rockets from iran, iraq, yemen and hezbollah in lebanon towards israel, with approximately 60 tonnes of warheads and explosive materials, but the threat from iran was met with aerial operations, technological and intelligence supremacy of a united defensive coalition of international elements, led by the United States, together coalition of international allies, led by the United States, together with great britain, france and other partners. Together, we intercepted 99 of the threats towards israel. Together, we thwarted irans attack. Irans unprecedented attack was met with an unprecedented defence. This was the first time that such a coalition worked together against the threat of iran and its proxies in the middle east. Even while under attack from iran, we have not lost sight, not for one moment, of our Critical Mission in gaza, to rescue our hostages from the hands of irans proxies, hamas, of our moral duty to do everything in our power to bring 133 hostages back home. Hamas recently rejected a Hostage Release Proposal offered to them by the mediators. Hamas and iran want to ignite the middle east and to escalate in the region. We are still on high alert and assessing the situation. Over the last few hours, we have approved operational plans for both offensive and defensive action. We will continue to protect the state of israel and together with our partners, we will continue to build a more secure and stable future for the entire middle east. Lets cross now to jerusalem and our chief international correspondent, lyse doucet. Yes, that was the most detailed statement yet from israel on what was involved in irans unprecedented assault against israel in the early hours of the morning. Now saying it was 350 suicide drones, Cruise Missiles and Ballistic Missiles. Israel declaring success, saying that not only did 99 of the projectiles were brought down but that israel did it notjust with its own defence systems, but with the backing of key allies. Also to note in those comments by Daniel Hagari, the chief military spokesperson, is he made it clear that israel had plans for both defensive and offence of operations. In other words, some kind of retaliation isnt off the table. We heard earlierfrom a member of the war cabinet which has been empowered to make a decision on whether or not israel retaliates, benny gantz said israel would respond in a time and manner of its own choosing. Saying that its retaliatory attack for israels attack on its consulate in damascus on april one which killed a Senior Commander of the Iran Revolutionary guard corps was a success and achieved all its objectives and iran which showed that it is able and willing to carry out this kind of attack. Iran, of course, warning that if israel does retaliate, iran would respond in an even greater fashion. Lets look at the extreme during moments of the last 2a hours from our middle east correspondent in lucy williamson. Radio chatter. Last night, for a few hours, israel lived in its Skies Fighterjets battling waves of iranian drones and missiles fired at israeli targets. The middle easts most dangerous conflict, dropping its mask. From the ground, israels air defences rose to meet threats by the dozen, a perilous display. Watched from jerusalem. Tel aviv. Israels Defence Minister called it one of the most dramatic nights israel had ever experienced. In iran, the launches were celebrated one after the other on national television. Punishment, iran said, for the strike on its consulate in damascus two weeks ago. Translation there is no intention to continue this operation. But if the Zionist Regime takes steps against the Islamic Republic on its soil or against areas linked to us in the region, our next operation will be far greater than this. The attacks were celebrated by iranians outside the british embassy, too, seeing them as punishment for the war in gaza and calling for israels destruction. Irans government has said its not seeking to escalate the conflict. Tonight, a member of israels war cabinet said there would be a response. Translation faced with the threat i of iran, we will build a Regional I Coalition and collect the price from iran in a way and at a time that suits us. British planes helped shoot down dozens of the launchers. The Prime Minister has now joined israels allies in calling for restraint. If this attack had been successful, the fallout for regional stability would be hard to overstate. And we stand by the security of israel and the wider region, which is, of course, important for our security here at home, too. What we now need is for calm heads to prevail. Well be working with our allies to de escalate the situation. Last night was a test of israels defences, but its leaders now face another political test over how to respond to this attack. A show of strength is needed, some argue, to maintain deterrence, but too much could push this region into a wider war. Shoppers returned tojerusalems main market today, shaken but sure of the response. I think if we react, it will show our strength and it will prevent the next attack. I hope. We cant live like this anymore. They shot a lot of missiles on us. Its the First Time Ever in the History Of The World that a Country Throw so many missiles on another country at the same time. So we got to respond, of course. Others here believe israel faces a dangerous Turning Point and that alliances, rather than weapons, offer its best chance of protection long term. Right now, all the west and all moderate muslim nations in this region do understand that, all right, this is a new game. And in this new game, its about being moderate and willingness to move forward with some sort of a Reconciliation Process in this region, in this troubled region. This attack marked New Territory in an old battlefield. Much hangs on the response. No chink in israels armour last night, but the door to war is still open. There have been calls for restraint across this region. Weve had more reaction from the us. The american president conveying to the israeli leader that he should see israels response as a success, see israel� s response as a success, but see israels response as a success, but to draw a line under this to avoid a much wider escalation. John kirby, The White Houses Top National Security spokesperson, told the nbc� s Meet The Press programme that the United States will continue to help israel defend itself, but does not want a broader war with iran. Know that the president is working the diplomatic side of this personally. In fact, today, Just A Little Bit later today, hes going to call the g7 together to talk about a diplomatic response here. Nbc news is reporting that President Biden talking about the diplomatic outreach, told Prime Minister netanyahu that the United States will not participate in offensive operations against iran. Can you confirm that . I wont go into the greater detail of the conversation with the Prime Minister. They did have a good chat last night. What was the message . What was the broad message . It was very clearly, you know, we stand with you in your self defence. That was the main message that the president delivered to the Prime Minister. He congratulated the Prime Minister and the idf for the extraordinary job they did, knocking things out of the sky. But i wont go into more detail. Again, ijust go back to what the president has said time and time again. We dont seek an escalation. We dont seek a wider war in the region. So did he warn israel not to respond . Did he say take the win, as has been reported . I think the president was again very clear with Prime Minister netanyahu about the success that they enjoyed last night and the impact that that success ought to have. John kirby on this absolutely pivotal relationship and indeed through the last six months of the Israel Gaza War we have seen there are moments where israel and in particular Prime Minister netanyahu does respond to the urging of the warnings coming out of washington. And sometimes he doesnt. Lets get more insight into american thinking about this relationship. Lets get more from will vernon, our correspondent in washington whos keeping across reaction there. John kirby, The White HouseNational Security spokesman, hes been doing a round of interviews this morning on the sunday shows, and hes been talking about what mr biden is thinking, suggesting mr biden wants to calm tensions. He said every decision, every discussion that hes had is all designed to not let this become a broad regional war. And thats where his head still is. And we saw that Statement Last night, didnt we, from joe biden following his phone call with the israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, where he said that he was going to convene this g7 leaders� discussion we� ve just been hearing about it there saying that he was going to co ordinate a unified diplomatic a united, sorry diplomatic response. And we also had a Statement Last night from the us defence secretary, lloyd austin, in which he talked about de escalating tensions, urging iran to de escalate tensions. And i think that� s the tone, the flavour of what people are thinking here in washington. It� s one of de escalation, one of calming tensions. I don� t think america wants to rush into any military response to this, certainly not to get dragged into any direct Military Confrontation with iran. And that is will vernon. Yet again, the israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu is coming under pressure from many friends including the far right wing ministers in his own government, one calling on him to use hit is expression, to go berserk in response to this unprecedented attack from iran. There are others that say israel should make the most of this moment in so many in the west are now standing with israel, even the calls for restraint across this region, and we� ve heard from benny gantz from the war cabinet saying that israel would now try to build a coalition against iran. Iran, though, has its own allies in the region and some of them did actually participate in the strike in the early hours of the moaning. So there� s a bit of relief here that there� s a bit of relief here that there wasn� t an immediate retaliation from israel, but this crisis isn� t over, not yet. We� re going to continue to keep an eye on all the developments, but back to you in london. Let� s speak now to jonathan conricus, who is a former international idf spokesperson, and a seniorfellow at the foundation for defende of democracies. Welcome to you, jonathan. Thank you for being with us. We spoke to year round the same time last night as offence were starting to unfold. Now we know the scale of the attack. What� s your assessment of this operation . I whats your assessment of this operation . Whats your assessment of this 0 eration . ~. ,. , operation . I think that iran tried, and they tried operation . I think that iran tried, and they tried quite operation . I think that iran tried, and they tried quite seriously operation . I think that iran tried, and they tried quite seriously to i and they tried quite seriously to inflict damage on israel, and they failed miserably in this attempt. Unprecedented in scale, both the attack and also this success in defending. And i think it will be a lot of studies in International War colleges and air defence schools around the world how to defend effectively against missiles. And i� m very happy about that, i� m very happy and thankfulfor happy and thankful for International Support. Now, where the sleeves israel is with a dilemma, because this aggression, i think, cannot go unanswered. And the question is, how to answer at best from an israeli perspective. Israel has the option here of, shall we say, translating the currency from an iranian currency to perhaps of focusing on getting more International Support on finishing thejob in kaboza, that� s one option. In the second option would be focusing on iran itself, focusing on the source of much of of what is wrong in the middle east, and much of the violence and Terrorist Activity in the middle east. I think the key for israel is to get american support or at least approval to go at it and to address the very sincere, serious topic we have here, iran, and then topic we have here, iran, and then to have a strategy in place where it� s not only about retaliating for the sake of retaliating, but it� s retaliating as part of a strategy in order to come in my mind, undermine iran� s ability to continue to hold his release hostage with their Proxy Organisations along our borders. Let� s break those things down. You talk about gaining International Support, as lyse doucet wasjust saying, the United States says they are committed to helping israel defend itself but. What kind of an irrational support do you think that israel needs to go after iran, as you put it. I israel needs to go after iran, as you put it you put it. I think that the only thing thats really, you put it. I think that the only thing thats really, really you put it. I think that the only l thing thats really, really needed thing that� s really, really needed is an essential is us support and approval. That is what really israel relies upon. Anything beyond that is great, and i think that we saw lives saved yesterday, civilian and probably military lives saved in israel yesterday, thanks to a more regional and Global Support by the uk and france and others, by the way jordan as well. So i think the more the better, the bare minimum would be the us, and i don� t think that israel is asking for anybody to do its fighting, israel is very happy and accustomed to fighting on itself, by itself in defence of its own civilians. So i don� t think that israel is asking for friends or uk france or uk service meant to be in harms way, not at all, but what israel needs is a coalition and i think there is an opportunity here for a better and more peaceful middle east, because much of the destabilising actions that iran has been doing can be folded back and undone if israel is clever enough to build a Regional Coalition with the saudi� s, withjordan, with the emirates, of course under american leadership, and that changing the balance. But leadership, and that changing the balance. �. , leadership, and that changing the balance. , , leadership, and that changing the balance.