Keir Starmer has said the UK ‘stands with Israel’
UK forces were involved in the response to Iran’s attacks on Israel overnight, the government has confirmed.
Defence Secretary John Healey said British forces had “this evening played their part in attempts to prevent further escalation” as Iran launched a missile attack on Israel.
He didn’t give any further details, but the BBC reports that UK fighter jets were involved, just like in April when Iran last attacked Israel with missiles.
The defence secretary said: “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.”
Iran’s attack involved 180 missiles according to the Israeli military. This came hours after Israel launched a ground invasion in southern Lebanon, which it described as “limited, localised and targeted” raids against Hezbollah.
Iran, which supports Hezbollah, said it launched the missiles in retaliation for recent attacks that killed the leaders of the Hezbollah and Hamas militant groups, as well as a senior Iranian commander.
In a statement from Downing Street on Tuesday, Sir Keir Starmer said the UK “stands with Israel” and recognises its right to self-defence.
The Prime Minister condemned Iran’s attack, saying he was “deeply concerned that the region is on the brink.”
He said: “We stand with Israel and we recognise her right to self-defence in the face of this aggression.
“Together with its proxies like Hezbollah, Iran has menaced the Middle East for far too long, chaos and destruction brought not just to Israel, but to the people they live amongst in Lebanon and beyond.
“Make no mistake, Britain stands full square against such violence. We support Israel’s reasonable demand for the security of its people.”
Sir Keir had been on the phone to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when the missile attacks started.
During the call, he told his counterpart about the importance of a ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaxa.
During his address, the PM once again urged British nationals in Lebanon to leave the country, which has been the target of Israeli air strikes for the last fortnight.
According to Lebanese officials, more than 1,000 people have been killed in the strikes.
The cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah intensified a year ago, after the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas gunmen in the Gaza strip.
This sparked a huge Israeli offensive in Gaza, with Hezbollah then firing at Israeli positions in solidarity with Palestinians.
