For once in his life, Keir Starmer must be decisive
For more than twenty years successive UK governments, in concert with our western allies, have resolutely declared that the Islamic Republic of Iran should not be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon. That rhetoric is finally being put to the test.
Faced with new evidence of Iran's relentless march towards nuclear weapon capability, and an alarming warning from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) about the regime's continued enrichment of uranium, Israel chose to take action to protect its citizens – and, in the process, those of numerous Arab states who also live under the darkening cloud of Tehran's nuclear ambitions.
It shames Britain that the initial response from our Prime Minister to Operation Rising Lion failed to call out the risks to our own interests of a nuclear-armed regime in Tehran. Neither did it express any kind of moral support for the brave actions of our ally Israel whose very existence the regime wishes to eradicate. Instead, he limply called for de-escalation and reaffirmed his faith in a diplomatic process.
This response was sadly characteristic of a government that has chosen, in recent months, to save its harshest language for Israel instead of the Iran-backed thugs of Hamas who carried out the worst slaughter of Jews since the Nazi Holocaust. Ministers have gone out of their way to deploy performative gestures like sanctioning two Israeli ministers and the shameful arms embargo, while lapping up cheers from its backbenches.
Israel's decisive action was not an act of aggression but a necessary measure to counter a looming existential threat. Israel's right to self-defence is indisputable, given Iran's repeated breaches of nuclear obligations and its explicit threats to annihilate the Jewish state.
Israeli leaders have always understood, with good reason, that the first duty of government is to provide security to its citizens. They also know that this is not a task that can be outsourced to the whims of the international community.
Iran's history of violating nuclear agreements is both extensive and alarming. The IAEA last week confirmed Iran's non-compliance with its non-proliferation obligations. Iran has enriched uranium to near-weapons-grade and amassed sufficient material to produce multiple nuclear warheads within days.
This stockpile, combined with Iran's refusal to halt enrichment activities, violates the JCPOA and other international commitments. For years, Iran has deceived inspectors, concealed undeclared nuclear sites, and advanced its centrifuge technology, all while claiming peaceful intentions.
These actions reveal a regime intent on acquiring nuclear weapons, posing an unacceptable risk to Israel and the world.
During the recent negotiations with the United States, Iran made clear its refusal to roll-back its nuclear programme and even threatened to accelerate the process for acquiring a nuclear weapon. That was a threat that no Israeli leader could ignore.
Israel cannot afford to wait for Iran to cross the nuclear threshold. The targeted destruction of facilities like Natanz and Fordow, which has degraded Iran's enrichment capacity, was essential to avert a catastrophe.
Operation Rising Lion draws on Israel's previous interventions to neutralise nuclear threats, such as the 1981 strike on Iraq's Osirak reactor and the 2007 attack on Syria's al-Kibar facility. These actions safeguarded not only Israel but the wider Middle East region. On both those occasions world leaders were quick to publicly condemn the pre-emptive strikes, while saving their praise for private meetings with Israeli ministers and officials.
The UK's historical commitment to Israel's security demands a stronger stance on this occasion, one that affirms Israel's right to protect its people from destruction. Keir Starmer's call for 'restraint' completely failed to acknowledge Iran's role as the aggressor.
Israel's right to self-defence is rooted in both international law and moral imperative. This is not a moment for Britain to show confusion over whose side we are on.
Solidarity with Israel is a stand for democracy, stability, and the fundamental right to live free from the shadow of nuclear destruction.
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