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UK forces ‘played their part’ in attempt to prevent further Middle East violence

The Prime Minister said he was ‘deeply concerned that the region is on the brink’.

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British forces “played their part” in attempts to prevent further violence in the Middle East, the Defence Secretary has confirmed, after Sir Keir Starmer said he stands with Israel following an attack on the country by Iran.

In a statement on Tuesday evening, John Healey said he “completely condemn(s) Iran’s attack against Israel”.

“I want to thank all British personnel involved in the operation for their courage and professionalism.”

It is understood RAF jets were involved in the efforts to intercept the Iranian missiles targeted at Iran.

Typhoon FGR4 fact file
(PA Graphics)

Earlier the Prime Minister had said he was “deeply concerned that the region is on the brink” and again urged British nationals in Lebanon to leave amid escalating violence in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Britons fleeing Lebanon were set to board a UK Government-chartered flight to safety on Wednesday.

Mr Healey is visiting Cyprus to meet troops who are preparing for the possibility of evacuating British citizens from Lebanon.

In a statement from Downing Street on Tuesday evening, Sir Keir said Iran has “menaced the Middle East for far too long” and called on the country to “stop these attacks”.

“We stand with Israel and we recognise her right to self-defence in the face of this aggression,” he said.

“Iran must stop these attacks. 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.”

The escalation came after Israel began a ground offensive in Lebanon, carrying out what it described as “limited, localised” operations.

The Iranian attack on Israel began while Sir Keir was talking to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, Downing Street said earlier.

A man takes pictures of a residential complex hit by an Israeli airstrike in Dahieh, Beirut, Lebanon
A man takes pictures of a residential complex hit by an Israeli airstrike in Dahieh, Beirut, Lebanon (Hussein Malla/AP)

He repeated the advice for Britons in Lebanon to leave and said “we’re doing everything we can to get people out, but the situation is extremely volatile”.

A chartered flight to get Britons out of the country is due to depart from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Wednesday, at a cost of £350 per seat.

Graphic showing how Israel's Iron Dome works
(PA Graphics)

The attack on Israel by Iran has attracted condemnation from British political leaders.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy warned against a “cycle of escalation” and said it would be in “no-one’s interest”, while Conservative leader Rishi Sunak said “we stand unequivocally by Israel’s right to defend itself including against Hezbollah in Lebanon”.

Sir Keir spoke to other European leaders about the situation on Tuesday evening, condemning Iran’s attack and reiterating calls for a ceasefire in the region.

There was also a conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, in which Downing Street said “the Prime Minister and president agreed that ensuring Israeli security was vital and that there was an urgent need for de-escalation, with all parties needing to show restraint”.

The Prime Minister also chaired a ministerial meeting in Downing Street on Tuesday on the situation in the Middle East.

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