- UK PM urges de-escalation after Hamas leader’s assassination
- Iran warned against retaliating against Israel
- Focus on ceasefire, hostages, and humanitarian aid to Gaza
The prime minister expresses “deep concern” to President Masoud Pezeshkian amid mounting fears that Iran will retaliate against Israel for the execution of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
Sir Keir Starmer has met with Iran’s president in an international attempt to defuse tensions in the Middle East.
The 30-minute phone talk with Masoud Pezeshkian came after the UK, US, France, and Germany released a united statement urging Iran and its allies to “stand down its ongoing threats of a military attack against Israel.
There are rising concerns that Iran will retaliate against Israel following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in the country, prompting the US to deploy a guided missile submarine to the Middle East.
According to a readout of the conversation from Downing Street, Sir Keir stated during his contact with Mr Pezeshkian that he was “deeply concerned by the situation”. He urged all sides to “de-escalate and avoid further regional confrontation”.
The prime minister also stated that there was a “serious risk of miscalculation and now was the time for calm and careful consideration,” urging Iran to “refrain from attacking Israel” and emphasising that “war was not in anyone’s interests.”
The report continued: “The prime minister reaffirmed his commitment to an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.
He emphasised that the focus should be on diplomatic diplomacy to attain such goals.
Sir Keir also mentioned the issue of foreign detainees in Iran, and the two presidents agreed that “constructive dialogue…was in both countries’ interests”.
The prime minister stressed that this could only be achieved if Iran stopped its destabilising acts, including threats against persons in the UK, and did not contribute to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to Downing Street.
Gallery unusual occurrence’
According to Sky’s Middle East journalist Alistair Bunkall, it was a “very rare occurrence” for a British prime minister to speak with an Iranian leader, and it “shows the value” of having a British embassy in Tehran, which few countries, including the United States, have.
According to Bunkall, Sir Keir conveyed the idea that Western leaders are using Iran “as the carrot… to bring Iran down from the edge” during the call.
That is to say, if we can move forward with a ceasefire agreement and ceasefire talks are scheduled for Thursday, anything done in between, or even after, risks collapsing those talks, he warned.
In the previous joint statement, which also included Italy, the world leaders stated that there was “no further time to lose” in achieving a truce and releasing the remaining hostages in Gaza.
The statement continued: “We emphasised our solidarity for Israel’s defence against Iranian aggression and strikes by Iran-backed terrorist groups.
We urged Iran to withdraw its persistent threats of a military strike on Israel and underlined the dire ramifications for regional security if such an attack occurs.
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On Friday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards launched military training in Kermanshah, a western region near the Iraqi border.
Iran stated Hamas’ top political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was “assassinated” in Tehran on July 31.
Israel has never claimed nor denied involvement in Mr Haniyeh’s death.
An Israeli government spokesman called it a “ring of terror armies” when asked about probable reprisal by Iran or Hezbollah or an escalation in the regional conflict.
David Mencer stated, “This Iranian axis of evil has formed a stranglehold against Israel.”
He went on to say, “Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen… Israel will exact a heavy price for any aggression against us in any arena.
We’ve made it clear that we’ll always extend our first hand to any partner seeking peace; we desire peace among Iran’s people; yet, the regime in Tehran, this fascist, Islamist regime, must understand that our extended arm will reach anyone who harms our people.
