Israel and Iran traded threats after Tehran’s first ever direct attack on its arch-foe sharply heightened Middle East tensions and as the Gaza offensive ground on with no truce in sight, AFP reports.

Israel’s military chief Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi on Monday vowed “a response” after Iran and its allies launched a barrage of over 300 missiles, drones and rockets at Israel at the weekend.

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi also warned that “the slightest action against Iran’s interests will definitely be met with a severe, extensive and painful response”.

Israel was weighing its options after the Iranian drone and missile onslaught, which caused little damage as Israeli defences intercepted most projectiles, helped by US, British and French forces and regional allies.

It remained unclear when Israel might strike and whether it would target Iran directly or attack its interests or allies abroad, including in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen. In Iran, nuclear facilities were temporarily closed over “security considerations”, said International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi.