Keir Starmer set to hold emergency COBRA meeting later today

Geopolitical tensions are on the rise

Sky News reports that the government is meeting today to discuss events in the Middle East after Israel launched an attack on Iran's nuclear sites in the early hours of the Friday morning.

A COBRA meeting is a meeting that takes place in the Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms and is responsible for responding to national and international crises.

Speaking earlier today, the PM called for calm and urged "all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently".

He added that the government is "engaging partners to de-escalate" and that "now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy".

Starmer said: "The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently.

"Escalation serves no-one in the region. Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate.

"Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy."

Posting on X, Lammy also spoke out about the importance on keeping peace.

"Further escalation is a serious threat to peace and stability in the region and in no-one's interest," he said.

"This is a dangerous moment and I urge all parties to show restraint."