Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has urged for “restraint” and “diplomacy” following Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iran that occurred early Friday morning.
He described reports of Israel’s so-called Operation Rising Lion as “troubling,” yet did not explicitly condemn the action.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel aimed at the “core of Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme,” expressing concerns that it could eventually be targeted at Israel.
In response, Iran promised “severe punishment” for the attacks, which resulted in the deaths of several key commanders and nuclear scientists, and retaliated by launching 100 drones towards Israel.
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In a statement issued on Friday, Mr. Starmer called for “all parties to step back and urgently lower tensions.”
He emphasized, “Escalation benefits no one in the region. Ensuring stability in the Middle East should be our primary focus as we engage partners in de-escalation efforts.
“This is a time for calm, restraint, and a return to diplomatic channels.”
The UK reportedly had no prior warning regarding Israel’s plan to strike Iran.
David Lammy, the foreign secretary, was scheduled to visit Washington on Friday to meet with his American counterpart, but the trip was called off upon learning of the Israeli operation.
A Whitehall source indicated that the abrupt cancellation of Mr. Lammy’s travel plans suggested the UK was not notified in advance about the attack’s timing.
Nonetheless, the UK had been aware of the increasing chances of an Israeli strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities due to recent Israeli government rhetoric.
Mr. Lammy described this as a “dangerous moment,” asserting that “stability in the Middle East is crucial for global security.”
British industry minister Sarah Jones also noted in an interview with Sky News this morning that the UK was not involved in the Israeli military operation.
Currently, British warplanes are not supporting Israel’s defense against potential Iranian counterattacks.
This could change as the situation evolves, with additional forces potentially being dispatched to a critical Royal Air Force base in Cyprus where Typhoon jets are stationed.
Previous deployments of reinforcements to RAF Akrotiri have occurred during Middle Eastern crises.
Furthermore, the US confirmed it had not participated in Israel’s assault on Iran and cautioned against any retaliatory actions targeting American interests or personnel.
US President Donald Trump had previously urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from attacking Iran while Washington negotiates a nuclear agreement with the country.
In his first public remark regarding the airstrikes, he reiterated his call for Iran to finalize a deal with Washington on its nuclear program, stating on his platform Truth Social that Israel’s actions “will only escalate.”
While he did not specify if he had knowledge of Israeli plans, the US president said “there is still time to halt this slaughter, as the next planned attacks will be even more brutal.”
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Meanwhile, China, Saudi Arabia, and Russia condemned Israel’s military actions, while Japan expressed that the use of force was “deeply regrettable.”
Russia’s foreign ministry characterized the attack as “unprovoked” and “categorically unacceptable,” asserting that it violated the United Nations charter.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated: “China opposes any violation of Iran’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, as well as the aggravation of conflicts and a sudden rise in regional tensions.”
Takeshi Iwaya, Japan’s foreign minister, remarked: “Amid ongoing diplomatic initiatives, including discussions between the United States and Iran regarding a peaceful resolution to the nuclear issue, the use of military force is deeply regrettable.”