The Middle East conflict has entered its seventh day, with residents in Tehran telling the BBC that overnight was “the worst night” of the fighting so far. Fresh smoke was seen rising over parts of the Iranian capital after renewed strikes.

Israel’s military also says it launched another wave of attacks on Beirut overnight. Earlier, Israel issued an alert warning of incoming Iranian fire but later said the immediate threat had passed. Israel’s emergency services reported no casualties at the time of the update.

Across the Gulf, countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain reported intercepting Iranian missiles and drones during the night.

Evacuation efforts are continuing as thousands remain stranded by airspace disruption. The first UK government-chartered flight from Muscat, Oman, arrived at London Stansted overnight — one passenger described boarding as “surreal”.

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy told the BBC the government hopes to organise more charter flights out of Oman and resume commercial routes where possible. He said the UK had been “very clear” it did not want to be part of the US and Israel’s “original offensive action”, but would support defensive measures.

Domestic criticism is also growing. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has criticised the pace of the UK response after attacks on the British base in Cyprus, saying: “Our bases are being fired upon and even now HMS Dragon is still in Portsmouth… we should’ve been there by now,” referring to the air-defence destroyer the government has promised to send.