Israel missile strike near Iran nuclear facility fuels fears of escalation | BBC News

World leaders have called for restraint in the Middle East, after a missile strike on Iran at a site close to nuclear facilities.

It took place at Isfahan in the centre of Iran, where there is an airbase, several nuclear sites, and a missile factory.  

US officials called it an Israeli missile strike. Iranian media said drones were involved. Israel has not commented officially on what happened.

Iran has played down the incident but said it shot down a number of drones. There were also reports of explosions in Syria and Iraq.
 
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed the importance of lowering tension in the Middle East. He refused to comment on reports that Israel had informed Washington of its actions ahead of the attacks.

It comes after Iran fired more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel, in retaliation for an airstrike on Iran’s consulate in Syria which killed several Iranian top military officers.

Jane Hill presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Lucy Williamson in Jerusalem, Sarah Smith in Washington and chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet.

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