PM expresses ‘solidarity’ with Middle East leaders

SIR Keir Starmer has expressed “solidarity” with the leaders of several Middle Eastern countries “in the face of dangerous Iranian escalation” following joint United States-Israeli air strikes on Iran.

- PRESS ASSOCIATION REPORTERS

Downing Street said the Prime Minister had spoken to the kings of Jordan and Bahrain as well as the crown prince of Kuwait yesterday as strikes continued across the region.

Explosions have been heard in multiple Gulf states as Iran vowed to carry out its “most intense operation” ever in retaliation for the killing of its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Speaking to the three leaders, Sir Keir “expressed the UK's solidarity in the face of dangerous Iranian escalation, which has seen indiscriminate missile and drone attacks launched at their countries in the last 24 hours,” a Downing Street spokesperson said.

The Prime Minister also expressed “deep concern” about attacks on civilian sites, and discussed ensuring the safety of British nationals and military personnel. The death of 86-year-old Khamenei, who ruled Iran for almost 37 years before he was killed in a US-Israeli strike on Saturday morning, has thrown his country's future into doubt and threatened to destabilise the wider region.