Britain forces were involved in a US-led international operation to help defend Israel from Iran’s missile attack as the Middle East teeters on the brink of a regional war.
Iran fired missiles into Israel just before 7.30pm local time despite last-minute diplomatic efforts from the US and UK to show restraint.
In a statement on Tuesday evening, Defence Secretary John Healey said that “British forces have this evening played their part in attempts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East”.
He added: “I want to thank all British personnel involved in the operation for their courage and professionalism.”
RAF aircraft have previously joined forces with the US and other allies to repel more than 300 missiles and drones fired from Iran into Israel.
Downing Street said on Monday the UK’s support for Israel’s right to self-defence remained “ironclad”.
A UK Government source said the focus of Sir Keir Starmer and the Foreign Secretary was on urging de-escalation in the region, and that the only way to secure stability was through diplomatic means.
The new Labour Government reassured Tel Aviv this summer that it would stand by Israel if there were a repeat of April’s attack by Iran, i understands, despite ministers adopting a tougher policy towards Benjamin Netanyahu’s government on arms sales.
Israeli analysts said they expected this attack to be met with an even more aggressive response from Tel Aviv. “We have dramatic hours ahead of us… we are watching history happening,” one said.
In the wake of Israel’s invasion of southern Lebanon on Tuesday, the first dedicated flight carrying British citizens and their families was due to leave Beirut’s Rafic Hariri airport on Wednesday, with vulnerable and elderly people given priority for seats.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the UK is trying to charter more flights to airlift Britons out of Lebanon in the coming days. There are believed to be 5,000 Britons still in Lebanon, despite the worsening security situation in the past two months.
The British Government is working closely with Middle East Airlines, Lebanon’s national carrier, and other commercial operators to arrange more flights while the airport stays open.
The situation in the region deteriorated dramatically on Tuesday after Israel staged what it called a “limited, targeted and localised” ground invasion into southern Lebanon, and US officials warned that Iran was preparing to launch a retaliatory ballistic missile strike on Israel.
In April British Typhoon pilots helped deter more than 300 missiles and drones, including 110 ballistic missiles, in that operation.
Speaking to broadcasters earlier on Tuesday, Mr Lammy said: “As you would expect, we are speaking to Iranian colleagues and counterparts.
“I spoke to the Iranian foreign minister at the UN last week and we are urging restraint. None of us want to see a regional war. The price would be huge for the Middle East and it would have a significant effect on the global economy.”
He added that the UK had contingency plans in place to airlift Britons out of Lebanon if commercial routes were closed.
Mr Lammy said: “We have been planning for months on contingency as you would expect, and I have chaired several Cobras across government to make sure that across government we are ready to support UK nationals that are in country.
“But whilst commercial flights are available and whilst we are able to charter flights, working with commercial partners, the time to get out is now and that is the message I send to British nationals today.”
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