RAF jets have been used to shoot down Iranian drones after Tehran announced it had launched an attack on Israel in what threatens to become a major regional escalation.

Aircraft in Iraq and Syria have been deployed to intercept "any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions," the Ministry of Defence said.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said 99 percent of more than 300 drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles had been shot down outside the country's borders with warplanes intercepting more than 10 cruise missiles.

Describing it as a "significant strategic success", he said a few missiles had reached Israel with a seven-year-old girl critically injured in the south of the country and light damage to an army base.

In a late-night statement on Saturday, the MoD said: "In response to increased Iranian threats and the growing risk of escalation in the Middle East, the UK Government has been working with partners across the region to encourage de-escalation and prevent further attacks.

"We have moved several additional Royal Air Force jets and air refuelling tankers to the region. These will bolster Operation Shader, which is the UK's existing counter-Daesh operation in Iraq and Syria.

"In addition, these UK jets will intercept any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions, as required."

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