London: UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called on Iran to “refrain” from attacking Israel during a phone conversation with Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian. This marks the first discussion between a UK prime minister and an Iranian president since March 2021, when former leader Boris Johnson spoke with Hassan Rouhani.
The 30-minute conversation comes as the UK, alongside the US, France, Italy, and Germany, issued a joint statement urging Iran to cease its threats against Israel. The leaders expressed concern over the “serious risk of miscalculation” and emphasized the need for “calm and careful consideration” to avoid further regional conflict. They also reiterated their support for Israel’s defense against any potential aggression from Iran or its allied groups.
Tensions in the Middle East have escalated following the recent assassination of senior leaders from Hezbollah and Hamas. In response, the US has increased its military presence in the region, deploying a guided missile submarine and accelerating the arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, which includes F-35C fighter jets.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby acknowledged the growing likelihood of an attack by Iran or its proxies, potentially within days. He emphasized ongoing communication with Israeli and regional counterparts to address these concerns.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Rear Adm Daniel Hagari stated that Israel is at “peak preparedness” for both attack and defense, taking the threats from its adversaries seriously. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Starmer conveyed his “deep concern” over the situation and urged all parties to de-escalate to prevent further regional confrontation.
Iran has accused Israel of orchestrating the recent assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Iranian soil and has vowed retaliation. While Israel has not officially commented, it is widely believed to be behind the killing. Iran’s acting foreign minister indicated that the country would respond at the “right time” and in an “appropriate” manner.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned the attack, holding Israel responsible and labeling it a “serious infringement” of Iran’s sovereignty. Additionally, the Iranian-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate for the death of its senior commander, Fuad Shukr, killed in a separate incident.
In light of the escalating situation, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has advised Canadian citizens to leave Lebanon immediately, citing the growing risks. Several airlines, including Lufthansa, Swiss Air, and EasyJet, have canceled or suspended flights to the Middle East due to the rising tensions.
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