Worshippers in Tehran gather at a demonstration just hours after an apparent Israeli strike in Iran. Elsewhere, a man is arrested at the Iranian consulate in Paris after claiming to be carrying explosives. ‘Real escalation’ after Israel’s attack unlikely, retired major general says. Major General Giora Eiland, the former head of the Israeli National Security Council, said the strike showed Israel can reach “even sensitive places” but it had tried to “do it way that both sides can be satisfied”. (Photo: Iran’s weapons).

He told Sky’s World with Yalda Hakim programme that he doesn’t “predict real escalation after this”. Asked whether Israel’s message had been received in Iran, he said countries will try to emphasise their success and minimise the success of the other side.  He added that in attacking Israel, Iran had created an international coalition against itself – “something they certainly don’t want to see”.  Analysis: Both Iran and Israel are trying to save face – We’ve been hearing from our military analyst Professor Michael Clarke, who says the overnight attacks on Iran appear to be the Israelis “going after certain targets directly linked to n[Tehran’s] attack last weekend”.

It’s not been confirmed yet, but he says Israel almost certainly used ballistic missiles – rather than the drones than Iran says were used.  “The Iranians have an interest in saying it was almost certainly a one-off attack, it was drones, it didn’t matter,” Professor Clarke says.  This “relieves them of the responsibility of being so outraged they have to do something even more decisive”, he says. Both sides are now “trying to save face”. Professor Clarke says Israel wanted to carry out an attack, but not one that would upset its allies too much.

Meanwhile, Iran is being “careful not to overplay” Israel’s attack. Far-right Israeli minister ‘given dressing down’ for calling a strike on Iran ‘lame’ – report – We reported earlier today on a tweet from Israel’s national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir, calling the attack on Iran overnight “lame”. Channel 12 is now reporting a confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached out to the far-right politician to tell him he was harming Israel’s national security.

However, the network added he is unlikely to face further repercussions as Mr Netanyahu is reliant on him to remain in power. Mr Ben Gvir is among the Israeli hardliners calling for a harsher response to Iran and more brutal measures in Gaza. The Israeli prime minister remains in a tough spot as he is facing calls for de-escalation from Western allies, but he also needs to appease hardliners within his government to stay in power. Met Police retracts previous statement on ‘openly Jewish’ comment and issues second apology.

The Met Police has retracted its previous statement about two of its officers, who were heavily criticised for threatening to arrest a Jewish man near a pro-Palestinian march. The officers said the antisemitism campaigner, who was wearing a kippah skull cap, was “quite openly Jewish” so they were concerned about the reaction to his presence near the march. The Met said it had “reflected on the strength of the response to our previous statement” and wished to make a new apology.

In its earlier statement, the force had said the use of the term “openly Jewish” was a “poor choice of words and while not intended, we know it will have caused offence to many”. It continued: “In recent weeks we’ve seen a new trend emerge, with those opposed to the main protests appearing along the route to express their views. The fact that those who do this often film themselves while doing so suggests they must know that their presence is provocative, that they’re inviting a response and that they’re increasing the likelihood of an altercation.”

But this statement was criticised by the antisemitism campaigner in the video, Gideon Falter, who accused the force of “appalling victim blaming”. “What has dented Jewish Londoners’ confidence in the Met is not us making this video public, but the actions of the Met’s officers telling me that I cannot be in the area whilst openly Jewish,” he said. “The assistant commissioner appears to be saying that we should have taken this on the chin and kept the video under wraps.” Here is the new statement in full:

“The use of the term ‘openly Jewish’ by one of our officers is hugely regrettable. We know it will have caused offence to many. We reiterate our apology. “We have reflected on the strength of the response to our previous statement. In an effort to make a point about the policing of protest we caused further offence. This was never our intention. We have removed that statement and we apologise. “Being Jewish is not a provocation. Jewish Londoners must be able to feel safe in this city.

“Our commitment to protecting the public extends to all communities across London. It’s important that our public statements reflect that more clearly than they did today.” White House says it has no comment on Iran attack – US officials are continuing their silence on the apparent Israeli attack on Iran overnight. In a news conference just now, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked whether this is part of a strategy to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East. She said she has “nothing to share” and was “not going to speculate on reportings”. Ms Jean-Pierre said the US does not want to see the conflict escalate and will continue to consult with partners.

Courtesy: Sky News