Has Iran triggered a regional war in the Middle East with its missile launch against Israel?

It looks likely to This Writer.

Hundreds of missiles were launched from Iran towards Israel yesterday (Tuesday, October 1, 2024), in an apparent reprisal for Israel’s air strikes against Lebanon.

Before anything landed anywhere, US officials warned Iran of “severe consequences” if a direct military attack was launched on Israel. So we know that the United States is ready to join a regional war.

And US forces intercepted some of the missiles, we are told – so that country’s participation on Israel’s side is clear. US officials have made it clear they won’t expend anything like the energy they have reining in Israeli reprisals in the past – although the emphasis is said to be on “deterrence and diplomacy”.

But Iran has also said it will launch additional attacks if Israel retaliates.

Here’s the BBC:

Ebrahim Azizi, the head of Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said on Iranian state TV that this was the first wave of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ attacks.

He says Israeli “military centres and facilities were our targets, but the attacks might have lead to civilians being hit as well due to possible miscalculations”.

Azizi says if Israel “makes a mistake” again, there is going to be a second wave which will be “even more destructive”.

He adds that according to Iran’s assessments, Israel “cannot retaliate” to Iran’s attack tonight.

Some missiles struck their targets, “triggering huge explosions”, according to the BBC.

Israeli authorities say damage has been minimal but that seems to be nothing more than propaganda.

Hamas spokespeople have praised Iran for its strike – but it’s no surprise who that organisation supports.

And then Keir Starmer weighed in.

Sir Keir Starmer “expressed the UK’s steadfast commitment to Israeli security and the protection of civilians” in his call with Benjamin Netanyahu, a Downing Street spokesman says.

Sir Keir also spoke with King Abdullah II of Jordan this afternoon.

“They both called for de-escalation to prevent the extreme humanitarian situation from worsening,” a Downing Street spokesman says, giving a summary of the call.

“The prime minister said he will work alongside partners and do everything possible to push for de-escalation and push for a diplomatic solution.”

So he’s not willing to jump into conflict with both feet. That’s encouraging…

Except we later learned that UK armed forces supported Israel, although we do not know what role they played. This is clear evidence that the UK has taken a side in the conflict (our forces haven’t defended Lebanon or Gaza against Israeli aggression, remember).

The EU has repeated the ceasefire call:

The EU condemns Iran’s missile strike on Israel in the “strongest terms”, says European Commission Vice President Josep Borrell.

In a post on X, he adds: “The dangerous cycle of attacks and retaliation risks to spiralling out of control. An immediate ceasefire across the region is needed.”

Can you see that happening?

Before answering, read this:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Iran “made a big mistake tonight, and will pay for it”.

Speaking at the opening of a cabinet meeting, the Israeli PM says Iran “does not understand” his country’s “determination to retaliate” against its enemies.

“They will understand,” he says. “We will stand by the rule we established: whoever attacks us – we will attack” them.

So Israel is preparing to strike back against Iran and, while mouthing platitudes about “de-escalation” and a “diplomatic solution”, the UK’s prime minister has already authorised our armed forces to defend Israel and not non-combatants elsewhere.

He’s going to drag us all into this mess, isn’t he?

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