The UK “recognises Israel’s right to self-defence” but calls on the parties to de-escalate, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. His statement on board a plane en route to the G7 summit is quoted by British media on 14 June.
Asked about Iran’s warning about Western aid to Israel, Starmer said he would “always make the right decisions for the United Kingdom.”
“We are moving assets into the (Middle East – ed.) region, including fighter jets for emergency support,” he said.
Starmer did not give other details about London’s involvement in the situation, citing that the situation is evolving and it is a matter of operational decisions.
On the night of 13 June, Israel launched an attack on Iran. Israeli planes struck uranium enrichment facilities in Natang and Fordow, missile bases in Kermanshah and Khorremabad, Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz and other major Iranian cities were also under attack.
In response, Iran launched ballistic missiles at Israel. On the evening of 13 June, the IDF estimated that Iran fired fewer than 100 ballistic missiles at Israel during two rocket attacks, The Times of Israel reported.