The UK government has expressed deep concern over the rising tensions in the Middle East following a series of airstrikes by Israel on Iranian military sites early Saturday.
Officials have confirmed they are "closely monitoring" developments as the situation continues to evolve.
A widely circulated but unverified image on social media appears to depict an explosion site near Tehran from the early hours of October 26, 2024, following Israel's announcement of “precise strikes” targeting Iranian military infrastructure.
The UK has called on Tehran to refrain from retaliating after the Israeli strikes, emphasizing the need to prevent escalation. The strikes reportedly avoided nuclear and oil facilities, according to Israeli officials speaking to the Associated Press.
At a press conference in Samoa, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated, “Israel has the right to defend itself against Iranian aggression. However, we urge all sides to avoid further escalation and exercise restraint. Iran should not respond." Starmer affirmed that the UK would continue working alongside international allies to promote de-escalation across the region.
A spokesperson for Number 10 reiterated the UK's stance, supporting “Israel’s right to self-defence" within the bounds of international humanitarian law. "Further escalation is in no one’s interest,” the statement concluded.
Israel has confirmed the conclusion of its airstrike campaign, which targeted missile manufacturing sites allegedly used by Iran to launch attacks on Israel over the past year. The Iranian government stated that the strikes affected military bases in the Ilam, Khuzestan, and Tehran provinces, resulting in "limited damage."
In a related incident, Syria's state news agency reported missile attacks early Saturday on military sites in southern and central Syria, reportedly launched from the occupied Golan Heights and Lebanese airspace. Syrian air defences managed to intercept some of the incoming missiles, according to a military source.
Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, in a pre-recorded message on social media, stated, “The Iranian regime and its proxies have been persistently attacking Israel since October 7, including from Iranian soil. Like any sovereign nation, Israel has the right and duty to respond.”
Two US officials, on the condition of anonymity, confirmed to the Associated Press that the United States was not involved in the recent Israeli operations against Iran. However, the US Department of Defense released a statement urging both sides to conclude the exchange of hostilities.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III discussed the situation with Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, reaffirming America's commitment to Israel’s security. Austin also emphasized the United States’ “ironclad” resolve to defend US personnel, Israel, and regional partners against threats from Iran and its allied groups, stressing that no actor should exploit current tensions or expand the conflict further. Photo by Darrell I. Dean, U.S. Air Force, Wikimedia commons.