The armed forces of the United Kingdom were involved in an operation to shoot down missiles fired by Iran at Israel Tuesday night, British Defense Secretary John Healey confirmed.
“British forces have this evening played their part in attempts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East,” Healey said in a statement. “I want to thank all British personnel involved in the operation for their courage and professionalism.”
Iran’s direct attack on Israel is the latest in a string of escalations between the two regional powers. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to retaliate.
In a televised address, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “I am deeply concerned that the region is on the brink and I am deeply concerned about the risk of miscalculation.”
The U.K. recently halted the sale of some arms to Israel because a legal review identified a risk they could be used in violation of humanitarian law in the country’s war on the Gaza strip, which has killed over 40,000 people so far. The ban earned the new British PM a rebuke from Netanyahu.
Starmer has said he supports Israel’s “right to self defense,” and the cancellation of the licenses hasn’t damaged efforts to increase trade between the two countries.
Speaking after Iran’s attack, but before British involvement in repelling it was confirmed, the U.K. leader said: “We stand with Israel and we recognize her right to self defense in the face of this aggression.”
Starmer expressed grave worry about the situation in the Middle East, as pleas for a cease-fire have fallen on deaf ears. He said he had spoken with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to “try to find the space for a political solution” to the conflict.
According to a Downing Street readout, the leaders emphasized the need for deescalation and a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah “in line with UNSC Resolution 1701,” which sought to end hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006 via the creation of a buffer zone.
Starmer, whose government is in close contact with Israeli authorities, also repeated his call to British nationals in Lebanon to leave the country, saying: “The situation in Lebanon is increasingly grave … You must leave now … Do not wait.”
Dan Bloom contributed reporting.
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