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| UK sends more RAF jets to Middle East as PM urges de-escalation | UK sends more RAF jets to Middle East as PM urges de-escalation |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A file image of an RAF Typhoon aircraft | A file image of an RAF Typhoon aircraft |
| More RAF jets are being sent to the Middle East amid intense fighting between Israel and Iran, the prime minister has said. | More RAF jets are being sent to the Middle East amid intense fighting between Israel and Iran, the prime minister has said. |
| Sir Keir Starmer said the military aircraft, including Typhoons and air-to-air refuelers, were being sent "for contingency support across the region". | |
| He said the situation was fast-moving and there were ongoing discussions with allies, adding: "The constant message is de-escalate." | He said the situation was fast-moving and there were ongoing discussions with allies, adding: "The constant message is de-escalate." |
| The UK last announced it had deployed jets to the region last year, when the government said British aircraft had been playing a role in preventing escalation. | The UK last announced it had deployed jets to the region last year, when the government said British aircraft had been playing a role in preventing escalation. |
| Sir Keir made the remarks as he travelled to Canada for the G7 summit, where he said the weekend's "intense" developments would be further discussed. | Sir Keir made the remarks as he travelled to Canada for the G7 summit, where he said the weekend's "intense" developments would be further discussed. |
| "We've already been moving assets to the region, including jets, and that is for contingency support across the region," he told reporters. | "We've already been moving assets to the region, including jets, and that is for contingency support across the region," he told reporters. |
| "Our constant message is de-escalate, and therefore everything we're doing, all discussions we're having are to do with de-escalation." | "Our constant message is de-escalate, and therefore everything we're doing, all discussions we're having are to do with de-escalation." |
| The prime minister would not be drawn on whether the UK would be involved in defending Israel. | The prime minister would not be drawn on whether the UK would be involved in defending Israel. |
| "I had a good and constructive discussion with Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu yesterday, and that included discussions about the safety and security of Israel, as you would expect, between two allies," he said. | "I had a good and constructive discussion with Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu yesterday, and that included discussions about the safety and security of Israel, as you would expect, between two allies," he said. |
| He reiterated that the UK had "long-standing concerns" about Iran's nuclear programme and recognised Israel's right to self-defence. | He reiterated that the UK had "long-standing concerns" about Iran's nuclear programme and recognised Israel's right to self-defence. |
| Iran has threatened to target UK, French and US military bases in the region if they offer Israel help to stop Tehran's strikes. | Iran has threatened to target UK, French and US military bases in the region if they offer Israel help to stop Tehran's strikes. |
| Live: Israeli planes will fly over Tehran, Netanyahu says, as Iran warns 'more severe' strikes coming | Live: Israeli planes will fly over Tehran, Netanyahu says, as Iran warns 'more severe' strikes coming |
| What are the worst-case scenarios? | What are the worst-case scenarios? |
| Israel's endgame may be regime change in Iran - but it's a gamble | Israel's endgame may be regime change in Iran - but it's a gamble |
| What we know about Israel's attacks on Iran | What we know about Israel's attacks on Iran |
| Sir Keir spoke to Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday afternoon, Downing Street said. | Sir Keir spoke to Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday afternoon, Downing Street said. |
| "They discussed the gravely concerning situation in the Middle East and agreed on the need to de-escalate," a spokesman said. | "They discussed the gravely concerning situation in the Middle East and agreed on the need to de-escalate," a spokesman said. |
| Tensions between Israel and Iran have ramped up in recent days. | |
| Iran launched a fresh attack on Israel on Saturday night, while the Israeli military said it was continuing to strike military targets in Tehran. | |
| Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has threatened a "more severe" response if Israel doesn't stand down. Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz earlier warned that "Tehran will burn" if Iran continues to launch missiles. | |
| Iranian state TV reported 60 people had been killed in a strike in Tehran, while in Israel, officials said three people had been killed and dozens injured in strikes. | |
| Washington DC and Tehran were due to resume talks on Iran's nuclear programme on Sunday, but the talks have now been cancelled, mediator Oman said. | Washington DC and Tehran were due to resume talks on Iran's nuclear programme on Sunday, but the talks have now been cancelled, mediator Oman said. |