Rishi Sunak has called on “all sides” to “show restraint” after Iran’s attack on Israel on Saturday. The PM said he would speak to his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu to express solidarity and also discuss how to prevent “further escalation”. Mr Sunak told MPs Iran’s actions had been “reckless and dangerous”.
Tehran launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel in retaliation for a deadly air strike on its consulate in Damascus.
Israel said 99% of the projectiles had been intercepted with help from allies – including the US, UK and Jordan.In a statement in the House of Commons, Mr Sunak confirmed the RAF had intercepted “a number of Iranian drones” and said the air force was “the best of the best”.
He said Iran had “once again shown its true colours” and its attack had been intent on “further destabilising the Middle East”.
“Saturday’s attack was the act not of the people but of a despotic regime, and it is emblematic of the dangers that we face today,” Mr Sunak said, adding that threats to stability were “growing, not just in the Middle East but everywhere”.
He said the UK was “working urgently with our allies to de-escalate the situation and prevent further bloodshed”.
“We want to see calmer heads prevail and we’re directing all our diplomatic efforts to that end,” Mr Sunak said.Turning to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, he said “nothing that has happened over the last 48 hours affects our position on Gaza”.
Mr Sunak said it was “Israel’s right, and indeed it’s duty, to defeat the threat from Hamas” but also reiterated his calls for a “long-term and sustainable ceasefire”.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he “welcomed the prime minister’s call for restraint” and that the attack “left the world a more dangerous place”.
He added: “If diplomacy takes centre stage, and it must, then we also need to be clear diplomatic premises should not be targeted and attacked. That is a point of principle.”
The strike on Iran’s consulate in Syria on 1 April killed seven Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officers officers, including a top commander.
Source: eNCA
In other news – Matthew McConaughey admits becoming a father has made him better actor
Matthew McConaughey admits becoming a father has helped him become a better artist. The actor, who shares children — Levi, 15, Vida, 14, and Livingston, 11, with wife Camilla Elves, admits becoming a father has helped him take a fresh outlook on his profession.
Speaking to PEOPLE for their 5th anniversary edition, the actor revealed: “Having children I know has made me a better artist and has made me a better actor, because kids see things for the first time all the time. Their questions are innocent. Read more
