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

World leaders have called for restraint in the MiddleEast, after a missile strike on Iran at a site close tonuclear facilities.

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

US officials called it an Israeli missile strike. Iranianmedia said drones were involved. Israel has notcommented officially on what happened.

Iran has played down the incident but said it shotdown a number of drones. There were also reports ofexplosions in Syria and Iraq.

The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed theimportance of lowering tension in the Middle East. Herefused to comment on reports that Israel hadinformed Washington of its actions ahead of the attacks.

It comes after Iran fired more than 300 drones andmissiles at Israel, in retaliation for an airstrike on Iran'sconsulate in Syria which killed several Iranian topmilitary officers.

Jane Hill presents BBC News at Ten reporting by LucyWilliamson in Jerusalem, Sarah Smith in Washingtonand chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet.