UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called on Iran to exercise restraint following Israel’s airstrikes on Iranian military targets, stressing the need to “avoid further regional escalation” in the Middle East.
Speaking from Samoa, Starmer stated, “Israel has the right to defend itself against Iranian aggression, but further escalation must be avoided, and I urge all sides to show restraint. Iran should not respond.”
The UK government is closely monitoring the situation after Israel’s strikes on Saturday, which targeted missile-manufacturing facilities in Iran’s Ilam, Khuzestan, and Tehran provinces.
No nuclear or oil sites were impacted, Israeli officials confirmed. A No. 10 spokesperson reaffirmed the UK’s support for Israel’s right to self-defense, provided it complies with international humanitarian law, adding, “Further escalation is in no one’s interest.”
The Israeli military disclosed that the strikes aimed to dismantle facilities linked to recent missile attacks on Israel originating from Iran. Israel’s military spokesperson, Rear Adm.
Daniel Hagari, emphasised Israel’s response as necessary, stating, “Like any sovereign nation, Israel has the right and duty to respond to attacks on its territory.”
Reports from Syria’s state news agency noted missile barrages targeting military sites in southern and central regions, fired from the occupied Syrian Golan Heights and Lebanese territories. Syria’s air defenses intercepted several missiles, according to the agency.
US officials, speaking anonymously, confirmed the US had no involvement in Israel’s operation. Following the attack, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin discussed the situation with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, affirming the “ironclad” US commitment to Israel’s security.
Austin further emphasised that the US would prevent any regional actor from exploiting tensions to expand the conflict.
