Dangerous chapter not overpublished at 18:10 British Summer Time

18:10 BST

Lyse Doucet
Chief international correspondent

The big question now is “what does Tehran do next?”

In the war of words, some of Iran’s statements suggest a pause. Iranian state media are hailing their success in repelling Israel’s attacks, which they say caused only “limited damage.”

The foreign ministry said Tehran recognised its “responsibilities towards regional peace and security”.

Foreign Minister Syed Abbas Araghchi recently notched up some diplomatic wins that included stops in Arab capitals which used to nervously keep Tehran at arm’s length.

Iranian diplomats, however, don’t call the shots in the Islamic Republic. Those who do, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, may want to push for a muscular response.

But Israel’s latest attacks may have damaged their air defences in ways which open new vulnerabilities.

And retaliating in the run-up to an unpredictable US election may heighten the risk that the US could be drawn into this confrontation – an escalation Tehran wants to avoid.

President Biden said last week he saw an opportunity to “deal with Israel and Iran in a way that ends the conflict for a while.”

But even if Iran, and Israel, decide to draw a line under this one, for now, it’s clear this dangerous new chapter isn’t over.

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