Hello from The National in Abu Dhabi. Here's your morning newsletter with all the top stories from the Mena region.

GAZA/ISRAEL

Israel has reportedly launched strikes on Iran with explosions heard in the vicinity of Isfahan, the site of a military base. Tehran fired air defence batteries in apparent response and suspended some flights but denied it was under attack. Warning sirens were activated in northern Israel. The US has vetoed Palestine's bid for full membership of the world body. Follow the latest developments here.

Earlier yesterday Iran had threatened to attack Israeli nuclear sites and reconsider its commitments to atomic agreements if its nuclear facilities are bombed. Iran's Foreign Minister said that the attack on Israel at the weekend was necessary as Tehran had “no other option”. Debate has been raging in Israel about how to respond to the Iranian attack.

The US and UK announced new sanctions on Iran's drone programme. Read how the US built a loose alliance involving several countries that thwarted the missiles last Saturday in an "extraordinary feat of co-operation".

“Erdogan is trying to play on both sides of the ball”: a senior Israeli official has told The National how Turkey is seeking a mediation role between Israel and Iran, despite frayed relations with Israel over Gaza and Hamas ties.

Senior White House officials held an online meeting with Israeli authorities yesterday to discuss plans to invade Rafah in southern Gaza. Read how resilient Palestinians are starting new businesses in Gaza's southern city, despite the threat of an Israeli ground assault looming over them.

LEBANON

One civilian and two Hezbollah fighters were killed by Israeli fire during intense bombardment of the southern Lebanese towns of Khiam and Kafrkala, following a Hezbollah attack that injured 14 Israeli soldiers.

JORDAN

Users of location-based apps in Jordan say glitches they had been experiencing for weeks have been worse since the days before Iran attacked Israel with drones and missiles on Saturday.

UAE

Normal services will resume within 24 hours at Dubai International Airport, its operator said, following the storms that have caused widespread disruption. Follow the latest developments here.

IRAN

An office block worth £100 million ($125 million) in central London should be seized from Iran’s state oil and gas company and given to a leading international energy business to repay part of a $2.6 billion debt, a UK judge has ruled.

TUNISIA

Prominent Tunisian journalist Mohamed Boughaleb has been sentenced to six months in prison after being convicted of defaming a civil servant.

PLUS …

Our editorial team writes that the Middle East deserves more than deterrence.

Mena economies face a significant degree of uncertainty this year with the Israel-Gaza war threatening to spill into the broader region, according to reports from the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.

Mustafa Alrawi writes that the Gulf prefers rational debate to culture wars.

AND …

'I decided to risk my life': UAE residents help stray animals after historic rainfall.

All this and more in The National – subscribe to the print edition, visit TheNationalNews.com, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for round-the-clock updates.

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