British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urged his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu to show restraint and allow “calm heads” to prevail in the wake of Iran’s missile attacks, as Foreign Secretary David Cameron landed in Tel Aviv for talks on Wednesday.
In a telephone conversation, Sunak reiterated Britain’s “unwavering support” for regional stability and told the Israeli leader that Iran had miscalculated its actions, leaving it isolated on the world stage.
The Israeli minister reportedly thanked Britain for its “swift and decisive” support in the face of Iran’s unprecedented direct attack on Israel on Saturday. Downing Street said in a readout of the call on Tuesday evening:
“The Prime Minister [Sunak] said Iran had badly miscalculated and was increasingly isolated on the global stage, with the G7 coordinating a diplomatic response. He stressed that significant escalation was in no one’s interest and would only deepen insecurity in the Middle East. This was a moment for calm heads to prevail.”
Referring to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, Sunak told Netanyahu that he remains gravely concerned about the deepening humanitarian crisis. Downing Street added:
“The UK wanted to see a massive step change in aid access to flood Gaza with vital supplies, including Israel opening up new aid routes as quickly as possible. The Prime Minister said it was deeply disappointing that Hamas blocked a deal at the weekend that would have saved Palestinian lives and secured the safe release of hostages.”
The call will form the backdrop to Cameron’s talks in Israel, where he is expected to meet Netanyahu and senior Israeli officials and try to persuade the country to drop its response to the Iranian attack.
The visit will include meetings in the occupied West Bank before Cameron heads to a meeting of G7 ministers in Italy to discuss further sanctions against Iran. Italy, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the G7, said it was open to new sanctions for people engaged against Israel.
Britain condemned Iran’s “reckless and dangerous escalation” in the region and called on all sides to show restraint after Tehran unleashed a “barrage of 300 missiles and drones” on Israel at the weekend.
India called for “immediate de-escalation” of hostilities between Iran and Israel and urged a “return to the path of diplomacy”. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar held telephone talks with his counterparts in Iran and Israel, after which Indian officials are expected to be allowed access to the crew of an Israeli-linked ship seized by Iranian forces.
The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog says he is concerned that Israel could strike Iranian nuclear facilities. International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Raphael Grossi said Iran closed its nuclear facilities on Sunday for “security reasons.”
