(Reuters) -Israel's effective use of air-launched ballistic missiles in its airstrikes against Iran is expected to pique interest elsewhere in acquiring the weapons, which most major powers have avoided in favour of cruise missiles and glide bombs.

Israel’s recent strike against Iran notably avoided targeting nuclear facilities, focusing instead on damaging Iran’s air defenses and missile systems. -While Iran downplayed the attack’s impact, U.S.

Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon over the last day have killed at least 40 people including several children, Lebanese authorities said on Saturday, after heavy Israeli bombardment pounded the southern suburbs of the capital Beirut overnight.