Sunak says Israel has UK’s full support after ‘unprecedented’ Iran attack but all sides must show restraint

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Rishi Sunak has doubled down on Britain’s backing for Israel after Iran’s “unprecedented” attack, but urged all sides to “show restraint” amid fears the Middle East disaster might spiral uncontrolled.

The prime minister stated the “reckless and dangerous escalation” by Iran on Saturday night time risked plunging the area right into a deeper disaster, as he hit out at Tehran for attempting to “sow chaos in their own back yard”.

Addressing MPs for the primary time since Iran launched greater than 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles and 120 ballistic missiles on the nation, Mr Sunak stated G7 international locations had been united in condemning the assault and had been engaged on a package deal of measures to pile stress on Iran.

He added that he would converse to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to specific Britain’s solidarity with the nation and focus on “how we can prevent further escalation” – warning that Israel’s safety “is non-negotiable” as a part of a “fundamental condition for peace in the region”. But, in an indication Britain’s support for Israel’s marketing campaign in opposition to Hamas in Gaza is unwavering, the PM repeated that Israel has the “right” to hunt to the terrorist organisation.

Mr Netanyahu is contemplating how to reply to Tehran, with the UK, France, Germany and the European Union all echoing calls by the US for Israel to keep away from an escalation that would spark a wider battle.

The PM’s intervention got here as:

Mr Sunak informed the Commons on Monday afternoon: “With this attack Iran has once again shown its true colours. They are intent on sowing chaos in their own back yard, on further destabilising the Middle East.

“Our aim is to support stability and security because it is right for the region and because although the Middle East is thousands of miles away, it has a direct effect on our security and prosperity at home.

“So, we’re working urgently with our allies to de-escalate the situation and prevent further bloodshed. We want to see calmer heads prevail and we’re directing all our diplomatic efforts to that end.”

He added: “All sides must show restraint.”

Adding that Israel has Britian’s “full support”, the PM set out three steps to “put the region on a better path”.

The PM stated: “First we must uphold regional security against hostile actors including in the Red Sea, and we must ensure Israel’s security – that is non-negotiable. It is a fundamental condition for peace in the region. In the face of threats like we saw this weekend, Israel has our full support.

“Second we must invest more deeply in the two state solution, that is what we have been doing over the past six months, including working closely with the Palestinian authority so that when the time comes they can provide more effective governance for Gaza and the West Bank.”

He went on: “The conflict in Gaza must end. Hamas, which is backed by Iran, started this war. They wanted not just to kill and murder but to destabilise the whole region.”

He added: “It is important that different regional companions truly assist to stop a a lot worse attack over the weekend, it reminds us how vital the makes an attempt to normalise relations between Israel and its neighbours actually are, and it holds out valuable hope for the area.”

Turning to the continuing confict in Gaza, Mr Sunak stated: “It is Israel’s right, and indeed its duty to defeat the threat from Hamas terrorists and defend its security.”

The Royal Air Force joined allies in defending Israel, with British jets taking pictures down a variety of Iranian attack drones.

Sir Keir Starmer joined the PM urging Israel to show restraint after the attack, backing the involvement of UK armed forces in efforts to thwart the strikes. Mr Sunak had beforehand confirmed that RAF jets shot down “a number” of Iran’s attack drones.

The Labour chief added there was “no doubt” the attack “has left the world a more dangerous place” and stated Iran “must be wholly condemned by all”.

Foreign secretary Lord Cameron had earlier urged Israel to be “smart as well as tough” by not escalating the battle with Iran. He stated Israel ought to recognise Tehran’s attack as an “almost total failure” after they contemplate their subsequent transfer.

“I think [Israel are] perfectly justified to think they should respond because they have been attacked, but we are urging them as friends to think with head as well as heart, to be smart as well as tough,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the EU’s overseas coverage chief Josep Borrell urged all events to “step on the brakes and reverse gear”, or threat an all-out battle within the area.

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz additionally known as for restraint, saying they had been working to keep away from escalation. “We will do all we can to avoid things flaring up, escalating,” Mr Macron stated, urging Israel to intention to isolate Iran quite than escalate the scenario.

Countries together with Belgium and Germany summoned the Iranian ambassadors. And Italy, which holds the rotating presidency of the G7, raised the opportunity of the group discussing new sanctions in opposition to Iran following the attack.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant stated Israel had a possibility to kind a strategic alliance “against this grave threat by Iran”, whereas Benny Gantz, a former navy chief who’s a part of the battle cupboard, stated they might construct a “regional coalition and exact the price from Iran in the fashion and timing that is right for us”.

The weekend’s assault was launched in response to a strike extensively blamed on Israel upon an Iranian consular constructing in Syria earlier this month, which killed two Iranian generals. Israel has denied duty for that attack.

It marks the primary time a direct navy assault has been launched by Tehran on Israel regardless of enmity relationship again to the nation’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Iran has stated it doesn’t need tensions to extend, but promised a right away and stronger response if Israel retaliates in opposition to its strike.

Iran has been blamed for supporting Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon which have focused Israel, together with the Houthi group in Yemen which has mounted assaults on Red Sea transport.