British fighter jets could still be deployed to defend Israel from Iranian missiles, despite fears of the UK being dragged into a regional Middle East war.
RAF Typhoons and Voyager refuelling aircraft are being sent to the region on a precautionary basis to protect UK bases, amid a threat from Tehran that they could be targeted as part of its conflict with Israel.
But on Sunday, Downing Street and Chancellor Rachel Reeves did not rule out RAF planes being used to defend Israel from further attack by Iran.
However Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy are to urge their Israeli and Iranian counterparts and other world leaders to de-escalate the conflict, with No10 insisting that “the only route to peace is through diplomacy”.
In April last year, under the previous Conservative government, RAF Typhoons helped defend Israel from a barrage of missiles and drones fired from Tehran, while last October, under the new Labour administration, British planes were used as back-up for air-to-air refuelling, although there was no direct engagement with Iran.
British Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons fighter aircraft fly at RAF Coningsby (Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty)However, the current conflict between Israel and Iran is on a larger and more serious scale, with both sides carrying out air strikes on civilian areas.
Tehran has threatened any ally of Israel, including the UK and US, with reprisals if they help support Tel Aviv.
Asked whether the UK would come to Israel’s aid if asked, the Chancellor told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: “We have, in the past, supported Israel when there have been missiles coming in.
“I’m not going to comment on what might happen in the future, but so far, we haven’t been involved, and we’re sending in assets to both protect ourselves and also potentially to support our allies.”
Pushed again on whether the UK would deploy assets in support of Israel if asked, she said: “What we’ve done in the past … is help protect Israel from incoming strikes. So a defensive activity.”
She added: “I’m not going to rule anything out at this stage … it’s a fast moving situation, a very volatile situation.”
Caption: Rachel Reeves old the Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme that using RAF jets to defend Israel remained a possibility (Source: PA)A No10 spokesman told reporters accompanying Prime Minister Keir Starmer to the G7 summit in Canada: “I think the PM said yesterday he wouldn’t go into the detail of the deployment other than to say what he did but we wouldn’t go into significant operational detail beyond saying they are there for contingency support.”
When pressed that the Chancellor had not ruled out RAF jets being used to support Israel, the spokesman said: “I think the Chancellor on the [broadcast] round drew a distinction between support for Israel under attack and providing support for an Israeli attack and I would point you to her words on that.”
The spokesman added: “We have always been clear we support Israel and its need to protect its security and people. As the PM said, Israel has the right to self-defence and we are working closely with our allies to press for a return to diplomacy.”
However, Downing Street said the UK would not support any attempt at regime change in Iran, saying: “We have always been clear Israel must abide by international law.”
Caption: Israel and Iran have been exchanging aerial strikes since Friday morningThe Iran-Israel crisis is set to be a major topic of discussion at the G7 summit in the Canadian Rockies, where Starmer will hold talks with Donald Trump, Canadian premier Mark Carney and other world leaders.
The No10 spokesman added: “We have been clear throughout that the only route to peace is diplomacy and through de-escalation.
“[The PM] has set out his aims very clearly, which is to work with international partners to encourage de-escalation. That is the priority long to reach long term peace and security in the Middle East, and that will be his overarching priority going into those talks.
“Our priority is stability in the Middle East, we are concerned by further escalation which is in no one’s interest and we are working closely with our allies for a return to diplomacy”.
Britons warned do not travel to Israel
Britons are being warned not to travel to Israel amid the escalating conflict with Iran.
The Foreign Office upgraded its travel advice on Sunday to advise “against all travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories”.
While the UK is not yet planning to evacuate any Britons in the region, Downing Street said the situation would be kept under review.
Following the start of airstrikes by Israel on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the FCDO had advised on Friday against all but essential travel.
But it was changed again on Sunday due to the deepening conflict over the weekend.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said that the safety of British nationals “remains our top priority”.
The FCDO website warns that “travel insurance could be invalidated” if people travel against the advice, and described the current status as a “fast-moving situation that poses significant risks”.
Downing Street said the government was not currently advising evacuation or that people should leave, however this is being kept under review.
The spokesman did not rule out that contingency plans would include preparing for evacuation, however.
A No10 spokesman said: “Foreign office staff in the region and in the UK are working around the clock to support British nationals in Israel and overseas British nationals in need of urgent consular assistance can contact us 24/7.
“Our Embassy and Consulate remain fully staffed, and our consular teams continue to support British nationals across the region.
“We are monitoring the situation closely and keeping all contingency plans under constant review. “The safety and security of British nationals is our top priority. We now advise against all travel to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, and urge British nationals currently there to follow Foreign Office travel advice and instructions of local authorities you’d like to leave the country.”
The US last week withdrew non-essential staff from some of its embassies in the Middle East, while Israel has closed all of its embassies worldwide.
Downing Street declined to comment on any operational security measures at UK embassies in Israel and the wider region.
Iranian state media said Tehran had warned it would target US, UK and French bases in the region if the countries help Israel thwart Iran’s strikes.
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