All night people in Israel have been braced for more rockets. Just before 01:00 the Israeli military announced that it was striking missile sites in Iran, and instructed residents to move closer to shelters. Four hours later the response came – with what felt like the largest barrage so far of this conflict.

Russia has maintained a delicate balancing act in the Middle East for decades, trying to navigate its warm relations with Israel even as it has developed strong economic and military ties with Iran.

to sustain public support he needs to show the military operation is a success and ensure it doesn’t become a protracted conflict, analysts say.