Keir Starmer holds Cobra meeting on Middle East fighting as UK evacuates families of Israel embassy staff – but tells tourists to stay put
Sir Keir Starmer has convened a meeting of the emergency Cobra committee to discuss the security situation in the Middle East, amid fears that the US will join Israel‘s attack on Iran.
The Prime Minister gathered ministers and outside experts including military leaders after returning from the G7 summit in Canada, where he met Donald Trump.
It comes after US officials indicated that Iran has 24 to 48 hours to surrender and save itself from American invention as President Trump considers joining Israel’s war.
White House officials said the next two days will be critical in determining whether a diplomatic solution can be found to the burgeoning crisis in the Middle East.
The families of British diplomatic staff in Israel have been ‘temporarily withdrawn’ as Tel Aviv and Tehran continue to exchange fire.
But UK tourists in the country have been told to follow the advice of local authorities and remain near shelter.
After the meeting, a No 10 spokesman said: ‘Ministers were updated on efforts to support British nationals in region and protect regional security, as well as ongoing diplomatic efforts.’
It comes after US officials indicated that Iran has 24 to 48 hours to surrender and save itself from American invention as President Trump considers joining Israel’s war.
The Prime Minister is expected to gather experts after returning from the G7 summit in Canada, where he met Donald Trump.
White House officials said the next two days will be critical in determining whether a diplomatic solution can be found to the burgeoning crisis in the Middle East.
Asked before the meeting whether the Prime Minister was still confident that Mr Trump would not involve US forces in the conflict, they said: ‘The position remains that we want to de-escalate the situation, we want to de-escalate rather than escalate.
‘We are clear that de-escalation is the right outcome for the Middle East, we are conscious, as the PM has said, that this has an impact on the lives of people in the United Kingdom.
‘That is why the Prime Minister’s been focused in recent days at the G7 on de-escalation and we will continue to be focused on de-escalation.’
Israel’s air campaign against Iran entered its sixth day today, with jets striking the Iranian capital Tehran overnight.
Israeli military chiefs said the air strikes targeted a facility used to make uranium centrifuges, part of Iran’s nuclear programme, and a factory building missile components.
Tehran has accused Tel Aviv of attacking civilians, while a US-based group Human Rights Activists said on Wednesday that Israeli bombardment had killed 585 people in Iran, including 239 civilians.
In response, Iran has fired some 400 missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel, killing at least 24 people.
But its response appeared to diminish on Tuesday night, with only 10 missiles intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump is reported to be considering whether to deploy American forces in support of Israel’s operations against Iran.
Mr Trump met with top military advisers on Tuesday night to discuss the situation, shortly after a series of social media posts in which he described Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as an ‘easy target’.
The posts followed Mr Trump’s decision to leave the G7 conference in Canada a day early to deal with what he called ‘big stuff’, triggering speculation that American forces might join Israeli strikes.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said the UK Government has deployed jets to the Middle East for ‘the safety of British nationals and the UK national interest’.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy (top) and ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson (above, left) arrive for the Cobra meeting
Earlier, Sir Keir Starmer had insisted Mr Trump was interested in de-escalation in the Middle East, saying ‘nothing’ he had heard from the president suggested Washington was poised to get involved.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said the UK Government has deployed jets to the Middle East for ‘the safety of British nationals and the UK national interest’.
Standing in for Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister’s Questions, she said: ‘In an era of global instability, we are working with our partners to urge de-escalation in the Middle East, put pressure on Russia to agree to a ceasefire and deliver security renewal for the British people.’
She added: ‘The situation in the Middle East is fast moving and deeply concerning.
‘There is a clear potential for significant and rapid worsening of the situation, and every step that we take we will always be guided by what the safety of British nationals and the UK national interest.
‘That’s why we’ve deployed jets to the region, so that contingency support is in place for our Armed Forces personnel, and it’s why we’re asking British nationals to register their presence and we’ll keep all advice under review.’
