Rishi Sunak unveils three step plan to tackle 'reckless and dangerous escalation' from 'despotic' Iran

He told the Commons: "First, we must uphold regional security against hostile actors, including in the Red Sea and we must ensure Israel's security. that is non-negotiable. it is a fundamental condition of peace in the Middle East.

"in the face of threats like we saw this weekend, Israel has our full support.

"Second, we must invest more deeply in the two-state solution. That is what we have been doing over the past six months, including working closely with the Palestinian authority. So that when the time comes, they can provide more effective governance for Gaza and the West Bank."

He added: "Third, the conflict in Gaza must end. Hamas, which is backed by IRan, started this war. They wanted not just to kill and murder, but to destabilise the whole region."

The PM said Saturday's attack on Israel was "emblematic of the dangers that we face", adding that Iran has shown its “true colours”.

Sunak praised the RAF for destroying a “number of Iranian drones” and said the UK provided “important intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support for our partners”.

He added: “With this attack Iran has once again shown its true colours. They are intent on sowing chaos in their own backyard, on further destabilising the Middle East.

“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.

“So we’re working urgently with our allies to de-escalate the situation and prevent further bloodshed. We want to see calmer heads prevail and we’re directing all our diplomatic efforts to that end.”

Sunak said he wants to see "calmer heads prevail" and "prevent further escalation".

The PM said his fellow G7 leaders are “united in our condemnation of this attack” by Iran, adding to MPs: “We discussed further potential diplomatic measures which we’ll be working together to co-ordinate in the coming days.

“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.”

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Sir Keir Starmer joined the Prime Minister in urging Israel to show restraint following the Iranian attack, agreeing it was important UK armed forces joined efforts to thwart the strikes.

The Labour leader said: “We support the defensive action taken by the UK over the weekend, alongside our international allies against the Iranian attacks on Israel, and we welcome the Prime Minister’s call for restraint.

“Once again we all salute the professionalism and bravery of our armed forces. We also support the RAF planes being sent to the region to bolster Operation Shader. Their efforts are vital for a safer world.”

He added there was “no doubt” the attack “has left the world a more dangerous place” and said Iran “must be wholly condemned by all”.

Starmer added: “But let us also be clear, a full-scale conflict in the Middle East is in no-one’s interest. It is a path that can only lead to more bloodshed, more instability, and the unleashing of forces that are beyond the ability of anyone to control.”

He pressed the Prime Minister to use “every ounce of diplomatic leverage that we have to make sure aid to Gaza is unimpeded and drastically scaled up”, and in a reference to the attack on Iran’s consulate in Syria, added: “If diplomacy takes centre stage, and it must, then we also need to be clear diplomatic premises should not be targeted and attacked. That is a point of principle.”