Sir Keir Starmer’s Government has defended Israel’s “right to self-defence” after the IDF launched late-night revenge strikes against Iran.
Missiles rained down over Tehran just weeks after Israeli Prime Minister warned the Islamic Republic that it had made a “big mistake” for its October 1 onslaught.
Starmer’s Government issued a statement in the early-hours of this morning reaffirming its position that Israel has the right to defend itself.
The Prime Minister said: “I am clear that Israel has the right to defend itself against Iranian aggression.
Starmer issues Iran four-word war warning after defending Israel’s Tehran bombing raid
TWITTER/REUTERS
“I’m equally clear that we need to avoid further regional escalation and urge all sides to show restraint. Iran should not respond”
The comment came just a few weeks after Starmer “completely condemned” Iran’s attack on Israel.
In a televised Downing Street address, the Prime Minister said: “I utterly condemn this attempt by the Iranian regime to harm innocent Israelis, to escalate this incredibly dangerous situation and push the region ever closer to the brink.
“We stand with Israel and we recognise her right to self-defence in the face of this aggression.”
Starmer has been given the difficult task of trying to steer a divided Labour Party around the controversial matter of Israel’s conflict with Hamas.
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During an appearance at the United Nations General Assembly last month, Starmer added: “I call on Israel and Hezbollah: Stop the violence, step back from the brink.”
The 62-year-old urged the UN to “work together for peace, progress and equality”, later stressing the need to “prevent” a regional conflict in the Middle East.
Starmer was returning from a Commonwealth summit in Samoa when Israel launched its late-night raid at 3am in Tehran (12.30am BST
The IDF released cautiously-censored images of Israel’s “war room” mid-attackREUTERS/IDFExplosions were heard both in Iran and near Syria’s capital Damascus.
The IDF confirmed its attack against Tehran was finished around three-hours later.
In a statement, the IDF said: “A short while ago, the IDF completed precise and targeted strikes against military targets in a number of areas in Iran.
“Our planes have safely returned home. The strike was conducted in response to the attacks by the Iranian regime against the State of Israel and its citizens in recent months.
“The retaliatory strike has been completed and the mission was fulfilled.”