Starmer says UK 'stands with Israel' and he is 'deeply concerned' Middle East is 'on the brink'

Sir Keir Starmer has said Britain stands with Israel and warned he is "deeply concerned" that the Middle East "is on the brink".

In a televised address from Downing Street on Tuesday evening, the prime minister condemned an attack by Iran which saw around 200 missiles launched into Israel.

Defence Secretary John Healey later confirmed British forces "played their part" in "attempts to prevent further escalation" in the region, though he didn't specify the exact nature of their involvement.

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Sir Keir, who was on the phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when the assault was launched, said the rockets were aimed at civilian targets and it is "too soon to assess the impact fully".

"I utterly condemn this attempt by the Iranian regime to harm innocent Israelis, to escalate this incredibly dangerous situation and push the region ever closer to the brink," he said.

"We stand with Israel and we recognise her right to self-defence in the face of this aggression."

Sir Keir called on Iran to "stop these attacks", saying it had "menaced the Middle East for far too long".

"I am deeply concerned that the region is on the brink, and I'm deeply concerned about the risk of miscalculation," he added.

Israel has vowed "there will be repercussions" following the attack, which Iran said was in retaliation for the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon last week.

Asked if the UK would be prepared to use British military capabilities to help Israel defend itself against Iran, which backs the militant group, the prime minister said: "This, as you'll appreciate, is an evolving situation.

"But what I will say is that we stand with Israel and her right to self-defence. And any relevant updates will be provided in due course."

A few hours after that statement, Mr Healey confirmed the involvement of British forces tonight - though it is not clear in what capacity or whether personnel were involved in shooting down the Iranian missiles, as US forces did.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is not yet confirming what kind of support it gave Israel, but RAF Typhoon jets, operating from an air base in Cyprus, were deployed to help Israel during Iran's previous attack in April.

Mr Healey said: "I completely condemn Iran's attack against Israel.

"British forces have this evening played their part in attempts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.

"I want to thank all British personnel involved in the operation for their courage and professionalism.

"The UK stands fully behind Israel's right to defend its country and its people against threats."

The statements came after Sir Keir chaired a ministerial meeting in Downing Street on the situation in the Middle East.

The attack on Israel began while he was talking to the country's Prime Minister Mr Netanyahu, Number 10 revealed earlier this evening.

Sir Keir would not go into details of the call but said all his discussions with world leaders on the conflict focus on the need for a ceasefire and a political solution.

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"My calls have been about the importance of creating the space and the conditions for that de-escalation, and to find that political route forward," the prime minister told reporters after his televised address.

He added that with Mr Netanyahu he was able to "make the case for a ceasefire in Gaza", which has been under siege for the past year following the Hamas attacks on 7 October 2023.

The prime minister also repeated the advice for Britons in Lebanon to leave immediately, saying "we're doing everything we can to get people out, but the situation is extremely volatile".

"If you have the means to leave, the time is now," he said.

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