MIDEAST: Region On Edge Amid Wait For Israeli Response To Iran Missile Barrage

Following the two waves of Iranian missiles fired at Israel on 1 October, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said that Iran has "made a big mistake tonight, and will pay for it". In the efforts to protect Israel, the US fired around 12 interceptor missiles at Iranian ballistic missiles, while it is believed that the UK also deployed jets to aid in the defensive efforts.  

• This morning, Al Jazeera reports comments from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating that "We will respond strongly to any third party that supports [Israel] in any attack against US." Araghchi confirmed that “Before the attack, there was no exchange of messages,” with the US.
• After the attacks, Iran confirmed that its 'retaliatory actions', carried out after Israel's 'aggressive acts', had concluded. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) said that if Israel hits back at Iran "it will face crushing attacks."
• Israel's ground incursion and air strikes in Lebanon continue this morning, as do Hezbollah rocket launches into Israel. However, regional and international focus will remain squarely on the actions of Israel with regard to Iran. The Iranian barrages killed one Palestinian in the West Bank, hit a school in central Israel and a restaurant in Tel Aviv. There had been concerns that had Iran utilised its most advanced weapons it could cause widespread damage and casualties, proving significantly escalatory. Nevertheless, a direct Iranian strike on Israel will likely force some direct response from the Netanyahu gov't.