- UK aided Israel against Iran’s drone attack, Sunak confirms
- RAF intercepts drones; Sunak condemns Iran’s “reckless assault”
- Labour urges calm; Ellwood advises Israel to consider response
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated that “a number of drones” launched at Israel from Iran were shot down by British fighter aircraft.
The United Kingdom was among several nations, including the United States, that assisted in the counteroffensive against Iran’s unprecedented direct assault on Israeli territory.
As opposed to Israel, additional RAF aircraft were deployed over Iraq and Syria, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
On Sunday, Mr Sunak, who denounced Iran’s “reckless assault,” will convene with the leaders of the G7 to deliberate on the course of action that follows.
While addressing journalists at Downing Street, Mr Sunak stated that “the repercussions for regional stability would be difficult to overstate” had Iran’s attack on Israel been effective.
The number of drones fired down by British forces was not specified.
The Royal Air Force (RAF) intercepted attack drones in Iraqi and Syrian airspace, where it was conducting operations as a component of Operation Shader, an endeavour to combat the Islamic State.
The Ministry of Defence stated that the RAF would repel “any airborne attacks within range” of its operations in the region, without specifying the number of RAF Typhoons in flight.
In a widely anticipated retaliatory move, Iran launched hundreds of aerial drones and cruise missiles at Israel throughout the night of Saturday and into Sunday.
With the assistance of other nations, the Israeli military claimed to have intercepted the majority of the attacks, which occurred primarily outside of Israeli airspace.
Presumably, the United States assisted Israel in shooting down “nearly all” of Iran’s drones and missiles, as confirmed by President Biden regarding the United States’ alliance with Israel.
Several Iranian drones were also shot down with Jordanian assistance, according to security sources cited by Reuters.
Mr. Sunak stated unequivocally that Iran was “determinate to sow discord and destabilise the region, which is its own backyard.”
Then, he urged “calm heads to prevail” and reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s and the region’s security.
He stated, “We will collaborate with our allies to de-escalate the situation, and I eagerly anticipate my meeting with G7 leaders this afternoon.”
Iran launched these assaults in retaliation for an April 1 strike on its consulate in Syria, which resulted in the deaths of seven officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, one of whom was a high-ranking commander.
This attack has been attributed to Israel by the Iranian government; however, Israel has not provided confirmation or denial of the accusation.
Following a conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron demanded that Tehran “de-escalate” and urged the release of MSC Aries, the cargo ship that Iran detained while it passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday.
Lord Cameron stated on social media that he had “strongly condemned Iran’s attack on Israel in a formal capacity.”
The Labour Party, according to its leader, Sir Keir Starmer, supports any measures “intended to restore calm” and avert a regional conflict that spreads.
He condemned Iran’s decision to subject Israelis to these abhorrent assaults in a statement.
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Mr. Starmer added, “The international community has been unified in its call for restraint, and we regret that Iran has once more chosen a different, perilous path.”
Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, stated that Labour’s “seriousness” and “real concerns about potential escalation” compelled the prime minister to address Parliament on Monday.
Conservative Member of Parliament Tobias Ellwood, who presided over the Commons Defence Select Committee until his resignation due to remarks made regarding Taliban rule in Afghanistan, stated: It is crystal clear that the United Kingdom will defend Israel’s territory and airspace in the event of a state-on-state attack.
However, he stated that allies would urge Israel to “take stock and think carefully before responding; otherwise, this could ensnare the Middle East in a regional conflict that would inevitably involve the United States, an ally of Israel.”
