Iran, Israel appear to pull back from brink as Gaza bombed again

But a deadly blast at an Iraqi military base emphasised the high tensions which persist, and witnesses in Gaza reported more strikes there. Fears of a wider Middle East war escalated this month. Israel had warned it would hit back after Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones one week ago in retaliation for a deadly April 1 air strike -- which Iran blamed on Israel -- that levelled the Iranian consulate in Damascus and killed seven Revolutionary Guards. The Israeli retaliation appeared to come on Friday...