Global pressure on Israel & Iran for de-escalation

US Secy of State Antony Blinken speaks to ministers in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt; UK, France not in favour of retaliatory strike

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reached out over phone to the foreign ministers of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt, while Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had calls with his Saudi and Israeli counterparts, amid signs of an escalating crisis in the Middle East following Iran's strikes on Israel.

Iran fired more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel, which Tehran said was in response to the April 1 strike on its consulate in Syria. Almost all Iranian drones and missiles were shot down by Israeli, US, and allied forces before they reached their targets. The US destroyed more than 80 UAVS (unmanned aerial vehicles) and at least six ballistic missiles launched by Iran at Israel, the Pentagon said.

This includes a ballistic missile on its launcher vehicle and seven UAVs destroyed on the ground in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen prior to their launch, the US Central Command said.