The Middle East is edging ever closer toward a full-blown regional war as Israel vowed to respond to Iran’s barrage of ballistic missiles fired at it on Oct. 1. Iran launched a salvo of about 200 ballistic and hypersonic missiles at Israeli “military targets”, prompting Tel Aviv to vow a response. Experts say Iran’s warning that any response to the barrage would be met with “stronger and more painful” blows, is unlikely to deter Israel. US and Arab diplomats are now afraid of the possibility of Israel striking inside Iran, potentially against its nuclear facilities. Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett urged Israel to retaliate to Iran’s missile attack by destroying Tehran’s nuclear programme.
