The world had been waiting with deep foreboding to see how Tehran would respond to Israel's air strike on its consulate in Damascus, killing two Iranian generals and five other soldiers.

Now we know. More than 300 drones, cruise and ballistic missiles launched at Israeli targets from bases within Iran. 

It was an unprecedented assault, and not just in the sheer volume of hardware.

Iran usually hides behind paid proxies to pursue its bloody feuds – Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, the Houthi rebels and, of course, Hamas. 

This was the first attack on Israel from its own soil and signals a chilling escalation in the Middle East conflict. The question is: Can it be contained?

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is hardly renowned for his moderation and officials warned Iran would 'pay the price' for its aggression.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured) is hardly renowned for his moderation and officials warned Iran would 'pay the price' for its aggression

However, while there is certainly just cause for retaliation, now might be a good time to pause for breath. This would not be weakness but common sense.

For the first time in months, Israel has regained the sympathy of the international community. 

After widespread criticism over the death and destruction caused in Gaza, it is now the one under attack.

The US has offered Israel 'ironclad' support, as demonstrated by the fact that American jets – along with British and Jordanian fighters – helped intercept missiles and drones launched on Saturday.

Thanks to that and Israel's own highly effective air defences, the assault caused limited damage and no apparent fatalities. 

Tehran has also said its revenge for Damascus is complete (though the ayatollahs are hardly a trustworthy bunch).

The G7 nations were unequivocal in their condemnation of Iran yesterday and 'unshakeable' in their commitment to Israel's right to self-defence. 

But they also called for 'maximum restraint' from all parties. Separately, President Biden warned that America won't help Israel in any offensive campaign against Iran.

So with the fight for Gaza still raging, would it really be a good idea for Mr Netanyahu to wage all-out war on a second front, with the added risk of alienating his allies and galvanising regional support for Iran?

In The Art of War, the Chinese soldier/philosopher Sun Tzu counsels that victory depends on more than military might: 'He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight,' he writes. Nowhere is that advice more judicious than in the boiling cauldron of the Middle East today.

Incurious Keir

Sir Keir Starmer's apparent lack of curiosity over the scandal engulfing his deputy is becoming more implausible by the day.

Angela Rayner was allegedly registered on the electoral roll at the ex-council house she owned in Vicarage Road, Stockport, for several years while actually living at her husband's house with their children.

Sir Keir Starmer's (pictured) apparent lack of curiosity over the scandal engulfing his deputy is becoming more implausible by the day

Angela Rayner (pictured) was allegedly registered on the electoral roll at the ex-council house she owned in Vicarage Road, Stockport, for several years while actually living at her husband's house with their children

As well as breaching electoral law, if Vicarage Road was not her principal property, she may have avoided capital gains tax on the £48,500 profit she made on selling it in 2015.

She says 'expert' legal advisers have exonerated her yet refuses to publish their advice. Sir Keir says he has not seen it, though members of his staff have.

Sir Keir is a former Director of Public Prosecutions. The deputy leader of his party is under police investigation and may have broken the law.

Can we honestly believe he's uninterested in taking even a cursory glance at her legal advice? Or is he deliberately distancing himself from this embarrassing affair?