The recent missile attack on Israel by Iran on Tuesday night involved British forces in defense, signifying support to prevent further escalation in the Middle East, according to Defence Secretary John Healey. UK fighter jets were reported to be involved, similar to Iran’s previous attack in April. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the attack, pledged support for Israel’s right to self-defense.
After the attack, Starmer condemned Iran’s actions and expressed solidarity with Israel, aligning with the Conservative Party’s stance on supporting Israel’s defense. The Labour government’s policies have shown tempered support for Israel, with recent decisions like restoring funding to UNRWA and imposing a partial arms ban on Israel.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy strongly denounced Iran’s attack and warned against further destabilization in the region. Conservative leadership candidates Tom Tugendhat, Robert Jenrick, and James Cleverly all condemned the attack, with calls for support for Israel to combat the Iranian threat.