For the first time in history, Iran has decided to directly attack Israel by striking it within its borders. It had never happened from 1979 to today, the year of the revolution that overthrew the Shah and brought Khomeini to power.
In these 45 years the tensions and clashes between the two countries have been continuous and bitter. But Tehran had never dared to cross that red line of direct attack. And Israel has announced that it has decision to respond, in the ways and times that will be decided by the Israeli leaders. The region is in an unprecedented political and military phase. The attack on the heart of Israel is a new chapter in the history of the Middle East, says Stefano Polli, the author of the book 'The Middle East: A History of Conflict' (Penguin Books, £7.99, p&p, £8.99). For more information on the book, visit www.penguin.com/the-middle-east-a-history-of- conflict.