Let calm heads prevail, Sunak urges Netanyahu after Iran missile strike

risHi sunak last night warned Benjamin netanyahu to let ‘calm heads prevail’ as the israeli prime minister plans his retaliation against iran.

in their first one-to- one talks since iran’s missile assault on israel on saturday night, the Prime Minister urged his israeli counterpart to show restraint as he weighs up military options for responding to tehran.

Downing street said Mr sunak told him that iran had ‘badly miscalculated and was increasingly isolated on the global stage’ following the attempt at a direct assault on israel.

But a no 10 spokesman added: ‘He stressed significant escalation was in no one’s interest and would only deepen insecurity in the Middle east. this was a moment for calm heads to prevail.’

iran fired more than 350 drones and missiles at targets in israel on saturday night in an unprecedented attack. Almost all of the weapons were shot down by israeli missile defences, assisted by jets from the Us, UK and Jordan. earlier, both Britain and israel were forced to deny reports that Mr netanyahu was refusing to take a call from the PM almost three days after the RAF helped defend his country.

no 10 brushed aside the reports, saying that ministers recognised Mr netanyahu had been ‘very busy with the war cabinet’ in the wake of iran’s attack.

Mr sunak used last night’s call to reiterate the UK’s support for israel’s security, but also put pressure on Mr netanyahu to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. A no 10 spokesman said: ‘the PM said the UK wants to see a massive step change in aid access to Gaza, including israel opening up new aid routes.’