UK PM Sunak calls for restraint on all sides after Iran’s destabilising attack
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday accused Iran of “sowing chaos” in the Middle East as he updated the British Parliament on the UK’s actions following Tehran’s “barrage of 300 missiles and drones” targeted at Israel over the weekend.
The British Indian leader praised the bravery of the country’s Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots who joined USled forces to shoot down a number of Iranian drones, as he confirmed that the UK provided important intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support in the operation alongside allies. He reiterated his previous statement to condemn Iran’s “reckless and dangerous escalation” in the region and called on all sides to show
restraint.
“With this attack, Iran has once again shown its true colours. They are intent on sowing chaos in their own backyard, on further destablising the Middle East,” Sunak told the Commons.
“We are working urgently with our allies to de-escalate the situation and prevent further bloodshed. We want to see calmer heads prevail,” he said, adding that he would be speaking to his Israeli counterpart later on Monday.
“I will also shortly be speaking to Prime Minister Netanyahu to express our solidarity with Israel in the face of this attack, and to discuss how we can prevent further escalation. All sides must show restraint,” he said.
Sunak highlighted three priorities going ahead: upholding regional security, pursuing the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, and increasing the supply of aid to people in Gaza. “Our aim is to support stability and security because it is right for the region and because although the Middle East is thousands of miles away, it has a direct effect on our security and prosperity at home,” he noted.