Cartoon by Stellina Chen

Iran shuts down nuclear facilities over fears of Israel attack

Yahoo News: Iran has closed down nuclear facilities in the country amid fears of a retaliatory attack from Israel, according to the United Nations.

UN inspectors in Iran "were informed by the Iranian government … all the nuclear facilities we are inspecting every day would remain closed on security considerations”, the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said.

The move came as Iran threatened a ‘severe and widespread response’ to any Israel Defense Forces (IDF) strike amid fears of an escalation of the conflict in the Middle East.

World leaders are trying to ease tension following Iran’s first-ever direct attack on Israel on Saturday with a barrage of 300 missiles and drones.

On Monday, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu summoned his war cabinet for the second time in less than 24 hours to weigh their response.

The IDF’s chief of staff Herzi Halevi said afterwards that Israel would respond. He provided no details. "This launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles, and drones into Israeli territory will be met with a response," he said at the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel, which sustained some damage in Saturday night's attack.