Keir Starmer warns Iran 'should not respond' to Israeli strikes as tension grows in Middle East

Keir Starmer has said Iran "should not respond" to overnight strikes on military targets.

The Prime Minister urged all sides to show restraint amid fears of dramatic escalation in the region. Speaking at a press conference in Samoa, he said: “This is a live situation. We are obviously monitoring it closely alongside our allies.

"I am clear that has the right to defend itself against Iranian aggression. I'm equally clear that we need to avoid further regional escalation and urge all sides to show restraint.

“Iran should not respond. We will continue to work with allies to deescalate the situation across the region.”

Asked if Israel’s response was proportionate, Mr Starmer said: “We need to be really clear that Israel has the right to defend itself. We are urging and have been urging all sides to show restraint.”

He said Britain had been pushing for de-escalation in the region but diplomatic solutions would take time. The Prime Minister's comments come after Israel launched its long-awaited retaliation for earlier strikes against the Jewish-majority state by Iran.

The attacks did not target nuclear or oil facilities, according to Israeli officials. earlier this morning: "We are monitoring this situation closely.”

The Number 10 spokesman added the Government supports “Israel’s right to self-defence and to protect itself in line”, so long as it adheres to “international humanitarian law.” And he pointed out: “Further escalation is in no one’s interest."

Israeli officials confirmed it carried out a wave of airstrikes that said its aircraft "struck missile manufacturing facilities used to produce the missiles that Iran fired at the state of Israel over the last year.”

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