Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC 20240703

Hello, welcome to the programme. We will be live injerusalem in a moment. First i want to take you through the latest images of what happened. Take a look at this. Air raid sirens these are the sirens blaring over jerusalem, you can see the explosions in the sky. 300 missiles and drones fired towards israel. Israel says that 99 of them were taken down. But it wasntjust over the airspace of israel, this is over jordan, allies including the us, france and uk helped to take objects out the skies. These pictures are from syria, the skies above damascus. Heading back to israel, it used its iron dome defences, they intercept missiles fired from the ground up into the sky to take out missiles and drones. As to the damage done to israel, the idf says there were no deaths, a Military Base suffered minor damage and a young girl was injured and in hospital. In iran, these were some pictures coming out of iran. These are government supporters celebrating the attack. Iran sees this as a response, retaliation to what is widely believed to be israels attack on a consulate in damascus. Lets look at the geography to show the significance, you have iran on the right and you can see the distance between israel and iran. This is the first time that iran has directly attacked israel from its soil. Lets take a quick look at the situation in the airspace in that region of the map. This is the live flight radar. The yellow dots are aeroplanes, that gap in the middle, there are a few flights which they went a few hours ago, that big space in the middle is the gap between the two countries, iran and israel. We have been looking at that for the last few hours and it seems the airspace is getting busier again after the attacks overnight. Lets cross over tojerusalem. Israeli air space is open and it is starting to open across the region but israel says its forces are on full alert and the crisis isnt over. All eyes are now on the meeting of that war cabinet, and we will look in detail at what was this unprecedented attack in the early hours of the morning. 300 projectiles, drones and missiles, including Ballistic Missiles fired for the first time into israeli territory. The idf has said that 99 of them were shut down. Israel saying it was a failure, but that it was an unprecedented attack. And israel is now considering its options. Iran, late last night, sent a representative from its mission in new york saying that as far as they were concerned it was a retaliatory strike and it closed the issue, the matter is over. But there were oh warning from a number of iranians officials who said that if israel responds, then iran will attack. Lets listen to the statement of the chief of the Iranian Armed forces. Translation from our point of view, this operation is over and there is no intention to continue the operation. But if the Zionist Regime takes any action against the islamic republic, whether on our soil or places belonging to us in syria or elsewhere, our next operation will be much larger. Many voices around the region calling for maximum restraint, and in london, Prime Minister rishi sunak issued a statement, now he has given the statement. Last sunak issued a statement, now he has given the statement. Given the statement. Last night, iran launched given the statement. Last night, iran launched a given the statement. Last night, iran launched a barrage given the statement. Last night, iran launched a barrage of given the statement. Last night, i iran launched a barrage of missiles and Attack Drones towards israel. This was a dangerous and unnecessary escalation which i have condemned in the strongest terms. Thanks to an international, coordinated effort which the uk participated in, almost all the missiles were intercepted, saving lives in israel and neighbouring countries likejordan. The ref sent additional planes to the region as part of our existing operations to Counter Insurgency in iraq and syria, our planes shot down a number of Attack Drones, and i want to pay to be two pilots flying into the face of danger to protect civilians. Sirso into the face of danger to protect civilians. Sir so the raf did shoot down a track drones, can you say what future role that they will have. The raf moved additional planes into our region to Counter Insurgency in iraq and syria and a number of iranians Attack Drones were shut down and we pay tribute to the bravery of our pilots flying into the face of danger to protect civilians. I chaired a cobra meeting on friday to agree a plan of action. Have you spoken to Benjamin Netanyahu and what is your message to him netanyahu and what is your message to him as netanyahu and what is your message to him as Israel Considers the options to him as Israel Considers the options |f to him as Israel Considers the otions. ,. To him as Israel Considers the otions. ,. ,. , options. It is clear that iran is determined options. It is clear that iran is determined to options. It is clear that iran is determined to sow options. It is clear that iran is j determined to sow discontent options. It is clear that iran is determined to sow discontent and destabilise the region, its own back yard. That is clear from its actions. If this attack had been successful, the fallout for regional stability would be hard to overstate. We stand by the security of israel and the wider region which is important for our security here at home. What we now need is for calm heads to prevail. Well be working with allies to de escalate the situation and i look forward to speaking to g7 leaders later. What speaking to g7 leaders later. What can the uk due speaking to g7 leaders later. What can the uk due today speaking to g7 leaders later. What can the uk due today dsk the situation . Is it about dialogue or is this situation . Is it about dialogue or is this about military support or was it is this about military support or was it about how israel responds . I will was it about how israel responds . Will be was it about how israel responds . I will be talking to leaders and coordinate with allies and we will be discussing the next steps. Thank you. Be discussing the next steps. Thank ou. ,. ,. Be discussing the next steps. Thank ou. , ,. ,. , be discussing the next steps. Thank ou. ,. , you. Press conference in london by the Prime Minister you. Press conference in london by the Prime Minister of you. Press conference in london by the Prime Minister of the you. Press conference in london by the Prime Minister of the uk, you. Press conference in london by the Prime Minister of the uk, rishi| the Prime Minister of the uk, rishi sunak, emphasising that this was a reckless attack by iran, that had it been successful it would have caused a incalculable damage to israel and the wider region, emphasising the time is now for de escalation. He wouldnt be drawn on exactly what form that would take. And whether hed like the us is sending an exquisite message to israel not to retaliate. Letsjoin our exquisite message to israel not to retaliate. Lets join our defence correspondent, we heard from the Prime Minister the first confirmation that british jets were involved in intercepting some of those drones, missiles heading toward israel. Those drones, missiles heading toward israel. �. ,. , toward israel. Behind me, i am on downin toward israel. Behind me, i am on Downing Street toward israel. Behind me, i am on Downing Street where toward israel. Behind me, i am on Downing Street where that toward israel. Behind me, i am on l Downing Street where that interview has taken place with the Prime Minister. Confirmation from him that british jets took down a number of Attack Drones as he put them. He wouldnt put a specific number under but i think it is significant, the idea that British Military personnel were involved in that operation, coming into conflict with missiles and drones sent by the iranian regime. This is part of the uk government says an ongoing operation in iraq and syria which has been countering the Islamic State group. They have been a number of sorties by fighterjets, their numbers have been bolstered by dealing with this. He said that some of those missiles may have ended up injordan too which is another ally of the uk. The key message was de escalate, involved in this meeting of g7 leaders later on via video call, the emphasis will be on how to move forward diplomatically, draw a line under what happen without having to talk about any further military intervention. Talk about any further military intervention. M,. , intervention. The deescalating set is a diplomatic intervention. The deescalating set is a diplomatic way intervention. The deescalating set is a diplomatic way of intervention. The deescalating set is a diplomatic way of saying intervention. The deescalating set is a diplomatic way of saying that l is a diplomatic way of saying that he wouldnt be drawn in the message was sent to the israeli prime mr . He wouldnt be drawn on if he had a conversation with Benjamin Netanyahu, we know that they speak fairly regularly and that netanyahu has spoken to President Biden about this, the americans are the ones that supply the most weaponry to israel, yet most powerful country in that alliance of countries that have been backing israel. It is interesting to note that the supportive noises that have been coming out of countries like the uk and the us following on from this attack. There had been a growing chorus of criticism against israel following on from the attack on an aid convoy which left british aid workers dead. The debate in westminster has been if the uk should continue to send arms to israel, there has been pressure for the government published legal advice to show if israel has broken international law, the government reluctant to do that. It will interesting to see if this attack last night changes the mood a little bit. The expectation is that the Prime Minister will give a statement to the House Of Commons tomorrow, also interesting to note that he didnt it seems seek formal approval from the cabinet before going ahead with this military action. It seems that there were a lot of cabinet ministers, some of the key ones involved in a Emergency Committee on friday at which this potential action was discussed, to launch missile. , ~ , , , action was discussed, to launch missile. , ~ , , missile. Thank you for oining us with the update missile. Thank you for oining us with the update on missile. Thank you forjoining us with the update on what missile. Thank you forjoining us with the update on what the missile. Thank you forjoining us l with the update on what the Prime Minister rishi sunak had to say. He said that the attack hadnt been successful but how does tehran view it. Joining me now is kasra naji from bbc persian. How is this attack being viewed . They say it is a complete success, they say they have hit the targets and most importantly, there are also saying, as far as they are concerned this is it, they dont want to take it any further. This is the conclusion of their action against israel for what happened in damascus on april one. The iranian people are watching, very concerned, because this is picking a big fight with a Major Military power in the region, israel, if not the major power. A power that has the backing of world powers and is a nuclear power. And they are asking how rational is get to pick a direct fight for the first time in a0 years . For a0 years they have managed to keep the tension at a certain level without entering into a direct fight with israel, and now suddenly the have done this yesterday with this attack. The during the war that we were saying that iran was trying to avoid being drawn into a direct attack against israel. , drawn into a direct attack against israel. , , israel. The fact that the Supreme Leader ayatollah israel. The fact that the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei israel. The fact that the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and l israel. The fact that the supreme l leader Ayatollah Khamenei and his closest advisers crossed this line, what does it tell you about the mood in the upper reaches . It what does it tell you about the mood in the upper reaches . In the upper reaches . It tells me the are in the upper reaches . It tells me they are under in the upper reaches . It tells me they are under a in the upper reaches . It tells me they are under a lot in the upper reaches . It tells me they are under a lot of in the upper reaches . It tells me they are under a lot of pressure l they are under a lot of pressure from their own people and from the general Public Opinion in the region. Not only in iran. Among their allies, among the people in their allies, among the people in the region, the arab world and the islamic world. The Public Opinion is very important for the iranians leadership. Dont forget, since the 7th Of October when hamas attacked israel, iran has stayed out of the fray, and that didnt look too good for iran because Everyone Else was involved. Hezbollah, hamas was involved, iran kept away. That was at its cost internally, given that, also the fact that the last few months, and years there have been a lot of attacks by israel against Revolutionary Guard commanders, killing many of them. And iran hasnt really responded in a big way. The Public Opinion from their own supporters in iran, showing weakness, and that they shouldnt project the power, retaliate which they hadnt done until yesterday. They are under pressure to respond and to save face. And to save face. Through the night there was attacks and to save face. Through the night there was attacks from and to save face. Through the night there was attacks from iran and to save face. Through the night there was attacks from iran and there was attacks from iran and also from hezbollah and from yemen. Would this be coordinated or are they acting alone . This be coordinated or are they acting alone . Once this kind of thing starts. Acting alone . Once this kind of thing starts, they acting alone . Once this kind of thing starts, they will acting alone . Once this kind of thing starts, they will feel acting alone . Once this kind of thing starts, they will feel that | thing starts, they will feel that they have to join in. Thing starts, they will feel that they have tojoin in. Up to thing starts, they will feel that they have to join in. Up to a thing starts, they will feel that they have tojoin in. Up to a point. I dont know whether they have been in coordination but what happened on the ground was that there was a coordinated attack, houthis fired drones towards israel, hezbollah fired missiles against northern israel. That is what was going on. At the moment, The Big Question is if israel will retaliate. In iran, the feeling is if israel was going to do the same thing to iran, attacking iran in within the borders, does iran have the capability to defend itself . Iran doesnt have sophisticated air Defence Systems to do what israel did last night. If it happens, there will be a lot of damage in iran, thatis will be a lot of damage in iran, that is very concerning. Will be a lot of damage in iran, that is very concerning. Thank you very much that is very concerning. Thank you very much for that is very concerning. Thank you very much forjoining that is very concerning. Thank you very much forjoining us. That is very concerning. Thank you very much forjoining us. That that is very concerning. Thank you very much forjoining us. That is l very much forjoining us. That is the question, what does israel do next . We may find out more when these Cabinet Meeting is done, lets get some perspective on that side of this growing tension. Lets speak to noga tarnopolsky, An Independentjournalist who specialises in the middle east, usually based injerusalem, today she joins us from chicago. Good morning. Good morning you have been following good morning. Good morning you have been following the good morning. Good morning you have been following the events good morning. Good morning you have been following the events through been following the events through the night. The statements coming out of israel, by Israeli Military officials and political leaders, saying that they are looking at the response, not saying publicly that they will listen to joe response, not saying publicly that they will listen tojoe biden who is clearly conveying to draw a line under this. Clearly conveying to draw a line underthis. How clearly conveying to draw a line under this. How do you read the situation for israel . I under this. How do you read the situation for israel . Situation for israel . I think that the question situation for israel . I think that the question really situation for israel . I think that the question really is situation for israel . I think that the question really is very situation for israel . I think that | the question really is very much situation for israel . I think that i the question really is very much in the question really is very much in the air. As American Media reported biden said to netanyahu, this could be a moment for netanyahu to take a victory lap, saying that we protected you, israel was able to defend itself, no casualties in israel, very few penetrations, that is Whatjoe Biden is asking netanyahu to do. Certainly not to attack in the way that the previous correspondence just described which would be an overt Israeli Attack against iranians soil and that would be again, we are using this word a lot a game changer. 0n the other hand, the reason that netanyahu is not thanking the United States for which he has been re criticised over night. Saying that we deterred them. On the other hand hes not saying 0n the other hand hes not saying anything concrete, hes playing a very difficult political game inside israel. And he has encouraged his own most extremist ministers to speak up about a powerful response. This was said by several people while the iranians launches were on route. They will have to try and square this circle and come up with at least a possible way to move forward that will satisfy these conflicting demands. This forward that will satisfy these conflicting demands. Forward that will satisfy these conflicting demands. As you know, their hostility conflicting demands. As you know, their hostility towards conflicting demands. As you know, their hostility towards iran conflicting demands. As you know, their hostility towards iran which. Their hostility towards iran which is hostile towards israel, it is a core tenant of the revolutionary doctrine, has defined the career of Benjamin Netanyahu, even before becoming Prime Minister. In all his years in power he has said that this is the main threat facing israel. 0n at least one occasion he was pulled back from the brink of ordering a direct strike. Do you think there could be a division of opinion between Prime Minister netanyahu and the Israeli Military leadership . Yes, that is a good question and it is good to remember that. I am almost 100 certain, from what ive heard in the last few hours that division occurs. It has to be said, if i may say more directly, Prime Minister netanyahu has been in the israeli public space in the past 30 years, during that time, even before he was elected, he made iran his signal issue and he made deterring iran his signal issue. That is it, mr security against iran. And here you have the state of israel which successfully stood in the face of this unprecedented assault but with the entire country paralysed, days and days of mounting anxiety, schools, universities, the airport closed. The country went into lockdown and i am quite sure, and i can quote you the most recent mossad director, among other Security Leaders questioning the decision of israel to assassinate this general in damascus two weeks ago. The man in damascus two weeks ago. The man in charge of transferring weapons to irans proxies in the region and wondering if this brought security to israel and wondering how netanyahu will be able to move forward, having promised a massive response, but it is unclear whether that would bring anything good to this country, and anything other than further destruction. Always aood to than further destruction. Always good to have than further destruction. Always good to have you than further destruction. Always good to have you on than further destruction. Always good to have you on bbc than further destruction. Always good to have you on bbc news, | than further destruction. Always i good to have you on bbc news, no doubt we will hear from you again, thank you forjoining us from chicago. There could be arguments and analysis and impassioned statements behind the scenes at that war Cabinet Meeting, it is expected to take place shortly. At the bbc our verify team has been looking closely at the images that have emerged overnight about this unprecedented attack. Letsjoin emerged overnight about this unprecedented attack. Lets join our team in the studio. For the first time ever, iran has carried out direct strikes against israel, an Army Spokesperson said that hundreds of drones, Cruise Missiles and Ballistic Missiles were launched against israel from iran, yemen and iraq. 99 were intercepted and one child has reportedly been injured by shrapnel. We have verified to videos, this first one is filmed injerusalem and this next video, you can see missiles or drones are heading for israel and air defences intercepting them. This is a still from that video i show just now, we have matched this still with publicly available images and we found out that this is located on the outskirts ofjerusalem. We know where this video is filmed and we are confident that these insects went overjerusalem, they appear to be to the south, possibly over the west bank. Israel has said that a handful of Ballistic Missiles werent intercepted and they hit an air base and caused minimal damage. This is a Satellite Image of the base from august last year, we have several videos purporting to be of the base being hit and we are still working on verifying these. Israel released this Footage Showing A Jet returning to the airbase says is fully operational, we cant verify if this was from today. And we have seen footage from News Agencies appearing to show what appears to be debris in amman, jordan. This is a moment of heightened tensions as we see whether and how israel will act. We will continue to monitor the situation. Taking a closer look at the images there our verified team. The israeli war cabinet will have more images to look at, to look at the implications of this unprecedented strike, and look at the various options on the table for israel. We are hearing a series of warnings from iran saying dont attack again because if you attack us, we will attack you again. Even though as you heard from our Special Correspondent that this could have catastrophic implications for the islamic republic. It does not have the formidable air defence system We Saw In Operation Last Night in the skies over israel. The skies over neighbouring countries as allies, us, france, britain and jordan helped intercept some of the projectile. This morning in tehran, the Foreign Minister called the Foreign Ministers and accuse them of double standing back double standards over the attack destroying the complex and killing senior guards of the Revolutionary Guard. There is hope across this region that the tensions will ease, but there is a fear that this could be there is a fear that this could be the beginning of a far more turbulent chapter in what is already a Grievous Israel gaza war. Stay with us. Hello. Its going to be a lovely day for many of us. We have had lovely sunshine this morning for most parts of the uk and we will keep the dry weather and sunny spells, especially toward southern and eastern areas. This is the scene at the moment in gloucestershire. But it will feel colder today compared to yesterday. The warmer weather we had in the south east with 21. 8 degrees in essex, that will disappear because weve got a cold air mass right across the uk, so temperatures really down on yesterday in the south east. But some good sunshine into the afternoon. The possibility of one or two showers in north wales and northern england, more substantial rain across Northern Ireland and into scotland and that could be heavy and thundery throughout the afternoon with blustery winds. Temperatures in scotland and Northern Ireland 10 12, notably cooler compared to yesterday across england and wales, 13 15. Tonight, the rain across the north and west will gradually sink to the south east. Again, through the night it could be heavy and thundery for one or two of us and there will be a lot of showers through the night with temperatures down to a 7. Monday morning starting on a relatively chilly note, but for many we will see a bit of sunshine before this Weather Front will bring rain spread south and east. Low pressure to the north and a brisk north westerly wind. There will be some sunshine to start off with, but this area of rain will be heavy moving south and east and it will be replaced by sunny spells and scattered showers. Most frequent towards the north west where it will be windy. Showers could be wintry as well with some snow over higher ground. Maximum temperatures on monday 10 12. Into the rest of the week, High Pressure is building out into the atlantic, and that keeps those rain bearing Weather Systems largely at bay. We do have one Weather System coming over the top of that, bringing some cloud and a bit of Rain On Tuesday Towards Scotland and Northern Ireland, and it could be wintry over higher ground. Cloud and rain in eastern areas, but for most of us on tuesday, looking like a largely dry day. Again some sunny spells throughout the afternoon but once again those temperatures are below average for the time of year 10 12. Goodbye. This is bbc news, the headlines air raid sirens. Iran strikes at israel with an unprecedented attack, but the hundreds of drones and missiles are taken out of the sky. This is the scene live in tel aviv. It was the first time iran had ever launched a direct Military Assault on israel. Some supporters of the iranian government in tehran celebrate the attack. The iranian retaliatory action comes after israels strike on its consulate in syria two weeks ago. Prime minister netanyahu convenes his war cabinet as the us reaffirms its ironclad commitment to israels security. Jordanjoins israel, us, uk and france, saying it intercepted