UK will work with allies to support diplomatic resolution. —Downing Street

FPJ News Service Mumbai

Iran has warned the US, the UK and France that their bases and ships in the region will be targeted if they help stop Tehran’s strikes on Israel, a media report quoting Iran state media on Saturday. According to The Guardian, the UK government has already said Britain did not provide military support to Israel’s attack on Iran or help shoot down Iranian drones.

PM Keir Starmer spoke to his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday afternoon and emphasised that, “Israel has a right to self-defence” but the conflict needed a diplomatic solution. A spokesperson said Starmer “set out the UK’s grave concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme” but also “reiterated the need for de-escalation” in the interests of regional stability after Israel’s air and drone attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, air defence and military leadership.

Earlier, the PM’s spokesperson said: “The UK did not participate in Israel’s strikes overnight,” and they indicated the RAF had also not taken part in any military action to knock out Iranian drones attacking Israel in a counterattack launched by Tehran on Friday morning. Furthermore, Starmer and Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have “agreed on the need to de-escalate” the conflict between Iran and Israel, Downing Street has said.  The two leaders spoke on Saturday afternoon, according to a read-out issued by Number 10.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: “They discussed the gravely concerning situation in the Middle East and agreed on the need to de-escalate. The prime minister updated on his conversations with partners so far, and reiterated that the UK is poised to work closely with its allies in the coming days to support a diplomatic resolution.”