Israel ‘expects’ UK to join potential counterattack on Iran in event of major assault

Israel expects the UK to join in any potential counteroffensive should Iran launch air strikes or a major assault on Israeli territory, David Lammy has been told.

The Foreign Secretary, who visited Jerusalem on Friday to meet his French and Israeli counterparts, expressed his concern the situation in the Middle East was spiralling out of control.

In a meeting between, the home country’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz and France’s Stephane Sejourne, Lammy was told that if Iran attacked the coalition will be “expected” to join with the defence of Israel.

However, Katz went further to suggest that the UK would also be expected to join Israel in “striking significant targets in Iran”.

Katz went on to issue a severe warning to Tehran, claiming Israel would not refrain from responding “forcefully to any harm against it”.

He added that if Iran did not stop its “aggression” it would “pay a price soon”.

Expressing his concern over the developing situation, Lammy warned the risk of the conflict in the Middle East spiralling out of control was “rising”.

He also branded it “a dangerous moment” for the region.

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He added: “Any Iranian attack would have devastating consequences for the region.”

Moving the conversation onto the ongoing Gaza ceasefire negotiations in Qatar, Lammy said “there can be no delays or excuses” in ending the conflict.

“This is a vital opportunity to secure the release of hostages and an immediate surge in aid into Gaza,” he said.

The latest comments come as Britain is said to be planning proposals to evacuate UK nationals from Israel in the event of an Iranian attack.

The British Foreign Office said around 60,000 Britons are believed to be in the country.

A Government spokesman said: “While we continue to use all diplomatic levers to push for de-escalation, our staff are working around the clock to plan for all scenarios to keep British nationals safe.

“Our travel advice is constantly updated to reflect the latest guidance.”