Israeli ambassador to UK claims strikes on Iran are 'self-defence'
However, planned talks on Iran's nuclear programme - which were described by Iran as "optimistic" - were called off after the strikes.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that if the Israeli strikes on Iran stop, then 'our responses will also stop'.
READ MORE: Rachel Reeves suggests UK will 'potentially' support Israel amid Iran conflict
Hotovely told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: 'Europe owes a huge thank you to Israel for doing that, and the Gulf countries as well.
'Our region would have been a place that is not safe for anyone if Iran had accomplished their plan.'
Referencing past airstrikes on suspected nuclear sites in Iraq in 1981 and Syria in 2007, Hotovely added: 'The international community owes a huge thank you to Israel and it's the same case here.'
Her comments come amid international calls for de-escalation between Israel and Iran.
It comes after Rachel Reeves indicated that the UK could 'potentially' support Israel amid the conflict and Keir Starmer confirmed the UK would send jets to the Middle East.
Israel has unleashed air strikes across Iran for a third day and threatened even greater force as some Iranian missiles evaded Israeli air defences to strike buildings in the heart of the country.
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The National
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Western Telegraph
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North Wales Live
an hour ago
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