Sir Keir Starmer has announced that Britain is sending more RAF fighter jets to the Middle East amid tense fighting between Israel and Iran.
The prime minister said he was sending the military aircraft – including Typhoons and air-to-air refuelers – to defend British interests, amid fears that fighting could escalate into a war that engulfs the region.
Sir Keir made the announcement on Saturday aboard a government plane on the way to Canada for the G7 summit, where crisis talks with world leaders will take place.
"The constant message is de-escalate,” he said, adding how the fighter jets were being deployed “for contingency support across the region".
US President Donald Trump, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron are among those gathering in the Canadian province of Alberta for three days of talks.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said that the UK could “potentially” support Israel in its conflict with Iran.
Talking to Sky News, the Chancellor said: “I’m not going to rule anything out at this stage... it’s a fast moving situation, a very volatile situation.”
She noted that the UK has so far not been involved, but emphasised that “we’re sending in assets to both protect ourselves and also potentially to support our allies”.
Iran issued a warning on Saturday to the US, the UK and France that their military bases and ships would be targeted if they help block the Iranian missile and drone retaliation for Israel’s attack.
