Israel's war cabinet has used a tried-and-trusted phrase to describe its next moves against Iran. Israel would respond "in the manner and at the time of our choosing".

Benny Gantz, the opposition leader who joined the war cabinet after the Hamas attacks of 7 October, emphasised the cohesion of Israel and its western allies.

"Israel against Iran, the world against Iran. This is the result. That is a strategic achievement which we must leverage for Israel's security."

The words Mr Gantz used did not rule out another attack on an Iranian target, or a first overt Israeli strike inside Iran (Israel has hit Iran's nuclear programme repeatedly, with cyber-attacks and the assassination of officials and scientists).

But there might be time for the diplomatic response President Joe Biden wants from the meeting he has called of the G7, the richest western countries.

This most recent escalation of the war that has spread across the Middle East since Hamas attacked Israel began two weeks ago, when Israel attacked Iran's embassy compound in Damascus.

The air strike, on 1 April, killed a senior general, his number two and other aides.