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Glasgow Times
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
More UK jets being sent to the Middle East as Starmer calls for de-escalation
The Prime Minister said further military assets are being deployed to provide 'contingency support' across the region amid escalating hostilities between the two long-time foes. Additional refuelling aircraft have been deployed from UK bases and more fast jets will be sent over, it is understood. The UK already has RAF jets in the Middle East as part of Operation Shader. Speaking to reporters travelling with him on a visit to Canada, Sir Keir declined to rule out intervening in the conflict entirely but made clear he would continue pressing for de-escalation and said the 'intense' developments over the weekend would be discussed in detail at the G7 summit. 'These are obviously operational decisions and the situation is ongoing and developing and therefore I'm not going to get into the precise details, but we are moving assets, we've already been moving assets to the region, including jets, and that is for contingency support across the region. So that is happening,' he said. Sir Keir added: 'Our constant message is de-escalate, and therefore everything we're doing, all discussions we're having are to do with de-escalation.' Asked whether he would rule out UK involvement, he said: 'I'm not going to get in to that.' Demonstrators in Tehran carry posters of Iranian commanders killed in Friday's Israeli strikes (Vahid Salemi/AP) Britain last announced it had deployed fighter jets in the region in last year, when the Government said British aircraft had played a part in efforts to prevent further escalation. It comes after Iranian state media said Tehran had warned it would target US, UK and French bases in the region if the countries help Israel thwart Iran's strikes, according to reports on Saturday. Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Israel overnight after a series of Israeli strikes on the heart of Tehran's nuclear programme and armed forces. Tehran's UN ambassador said 78 people had been killed and more than 320 wounded in Israel's attacks, while its response was said to have killed at least three and wounded dozens. Israeli security forces inspect the site of homes destroyed by a missile fired from Iran, in Rishon Lezion, Israel (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) A Cobra meeting of high-level ministers was convened on Friday afternoon to discuss the situation. The same is not expected on Saturday but Whitehall officials were expected to be meeting. The conflict was ignited by early morning Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear bases on Friday. Israel said the barrage was necessary before Iran got any closer to building a nuclear weapon, although experts and the US government have assessed that Tehran was not actively working on such a weapon. Iran retaliated with waves of drones and ballistic missiles, with explosions lighting up the skies over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Both the UK and the US have insisted they were not involved in the Israeli strikes and that the country acted unilaterally. Sir Keir would not be drawn on whether the UK was given notice of Israel's attack after reports that the country was not forewarned following the Government's decision to sanction two far-right Israeli ministers last week. 'In relation to Israel, I had a good and constructive discussion with Prime Minister Netanyahu yesterday, and that included discussions about the safety and security of Israel, as you would expect, between two allies,' he said. Asked if Britain had been told in advance of Israeli's military plans, the Prime Minister said: 'I'm not going to go into what information we had at the time or since. 'But we discuss these things intensely with our allies. But I'm not going to get into precisely what we knew, because it's a constant flow of information between our allies, and between us and the US.'
Western Telegraph
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
More UK jets being sent to the Middle East as Starmer calls for de-escalation
The Prime Minister said further military assets are being deployed to provide 'contingency support' across the region amid escalating hostilities between the two long-time foes. Additional refuelling aircraft have been deployed from UK bases and more fast jets will be sent over, it is understood. The UK already has RAF jets in the Middle East as part of Operation Shader. Speaking to reporters travelling with him on a visit to Canada, Sir Keir declined to rule out intervening in the conflict entirely but made clear he would continue pressing for de-escalation and said the 'intense' developments over the weekend would be discussed in detail at the G7 summit. 'These are obviously operational decisions and the situation is ongoing and developing and therefore I'm not going to get into the precise details, but we are moving assets, we've already been moving assets to the region, including jets, and that is for contingency support across the region. So that is happening,' he said. Sir Keir added: 'Our constant message is de-escalate, and therefore everything we're doing, all discussions we're having are to do with de-escalation.' Asked whether he would rule out UK involvement, he said: 'I'm not going to get in to that.' Demonstrators in Tehran carry posters of Iranian commanders killed in Friday's Israeli strikes (Vahid Salemi/AP) Britain last announced it had deployed fighter jets in the region in last year, when the Government said British aircraft had played a part in efforts to prevent further escalation. It comes after Iranian state media said Tehran had warned it would target US, UK and French bases in the region if the countries help Israel thwart Iran's strikes, according to reports on Saturday. Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Israel overnight after a series of Israeli strikes on the heart of Tehran's nuclear programme and armed forces. Tehran's UN ambassador said 78 people had been killed and more than 320 wounded in Israel's attacks, while its response was said to have killed at least three and wounded dozens. Israeli security forces inspect the site of homes destroyed by a missile fired from Iran, in Rishon Lezion, Israel (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) A Cobra meeting of high-level ministers was convened on Friday afternoon to discuss the situation. The same is not expected on Saturday but Whitehall officials were expected to be meeting. The conflict was ignited by early morning Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear bases on Friday. Israel said the barrage was necessary before Iran got any closer to building a nuclear weapon, although experts and the US government have assessed that Tehran was not actively working on such a weapon. Iran retaliated with waves of drones and ballistic missiles, with explosions lighting up the skies over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Both the UK and the US have insisted they were not involved in the Israeli strikes and that the country acted unilaterally. Sir Keir would not be drawn on whether the UK was given notice of Israel's attack after reports that the country was not forewarned following the Government's decision to sanction two far-right Israeli ministers last week. 'In relation to Israel, I had a good and constructive discussion with Prime Minister Netanyahu yesterday, and that included discussions about the safety and security of Israel, as you would expect, between two allies,' he said. Asked if Britain had been told in advance of Israeli's military plans, the Prime Minister said: 'I'm not going to go into what information we had at the time or since. 'But we discuss these things intensely with our allies. But I'm not going to get into precisely what we knew, because it's a constant flow of information between our allies, and between us and the US.'
The Herald Scotland
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
More UK jets being sent to the Middle East as Starmer calls for de-escalation
Additional refuelling aircraft have been deployed from UK bases and more fast jets will be sent over, it is understood. The UK already has RAF jets in the Middle East as part of Operation Shader. Speaking to reporters travelling with him on a visit to Canada, Sir Keir declined to rule out intervening in the conflict entirely but made clear he would continue pressing for de-escalation and said the 'intense' developments over the weekend would be discussed in detail at the G7 summit. 'These are obviously operational decisions and the situation is ongoing and developing and therefore I'm not going to get into the precise details, but we are moving assets, we've already been moving assets to the region, including jets, and that is for contingency support across the region. So that is happening,' he said. Sir Keir added: 'Our constant message is de-escalate, and therefore everything we're doing, all discussions we're having are to do with de-escalation.' Asked whether he would rule out UK involvement, he said: 'I'm not going to get in to that.' Demonstrators in Tehran carry posters of Iranian commanders killed in Friday's Israeli strikes (Vahid Salemi/AP) Britain last announced it had deployed fighter jets in the region in last year, when the Government said British aircraft had played a part in efforts to prevent further escalation. It comes after Iranian state media said Tehran had warned it would target US, UK and French bases in the region if the countries help Israel thwart Iran's strikes, according to reports on Saturday. Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Israel overnight after a series of Israeli strikes on the heart of Tehran's nuclear programme and armed forces. Tehran's UN ambassador said 78 people had been killed and more than 320 wounded in Israel's attacks, while its response was said to have killed at least three and wounded dozens. Israeli security forces inspect the site of homes destroyed by a missile fired from Iran, in Rishon Lezion, Israel (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) A Cobra meeting of high-level ministers was convened on Friday afternoon to discuss the situation. The same is not expected on Saturday but Whitehall officials were expected to be meeting. The conflict was ignited by early morning Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear bases on Friday. Israel said the barrage was necessary before Iran got any closer to building a nuclear weapon, although experts and the US government have assessed that Tehran was not actively working on such a weapon. Iran retaliated with waves of drones and ballistic missiles, with explosions lighting up the skies over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Both the UK and the US have insisted they were not involved in the Israeli strikes and that the country acted unilaterally. Sir Keir would not be drawn on whether the UK was given notice of Israel's attack after reports that the country was not forewarned following the Government's decision to sanction two far-right Israeli ministers last week. 'In relation to Israel, I had a good and constructive discussion with Prime Minister Netanyahu yesterday, and that included discussions about the safety and security of Israel, as you would expect, between two allies,' he said. Asked if Britain had been told in advance of Israeli's military plans, the Prime Minister said: 'I'm not going to go into what information we had at the time or since. 'But we discuss these things intensely with our allies. But I'm not going to get into precisely what we knew, because it's a constant flow of information between our allies, and between us and the US.'
South Wales Argus
4 hours ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
More UK jets being sent to the Middle East as Starmer calls for de-escalation
The Prime Minister said further military assets are being deployed to provide 'contingency support' across the region amid escalating hostilities between the two long-time foes. Additional refuelling aircraft have been deployed from UK bases and more fast jets will be sent over, it is understood. The UK already has RAF jets in the Middle East as part of Operation Shader. Speaking to reporters travelling with him on a visit to Canada, Sir Keir declined to rule out intervening in the conflict entirely but made clear he would continue pressing for de-escalation and said the 'intense' developments over the weekend would be discussed in detail at the G7 summit. 'These are obviously operational decisions and the situation is ongoing and developing and therefore I'm not going to get into the precise details, but we are moving assets, we've already been moving assets to the region, including jets, and that is for contingency support across the region. So that is happening,' he said. Sir Keir added: 'Our constant message is de-escalate, and therefore everything we're doing, all discussions we're having are to do with de-escalation.' Asked whether he would rule out UK involvement, he said: 'I'm not going to get in to that.' Demonstrators in Tehran carry posters of Iranian commanders killed in Friday's Israeli strikes (Vahid Salemi/AP) Britain last announced it had deployed fighter jets in the region in last year, when the Government said British aircraft had played a part in efforts to prevent further escalation. It comes after Iranian state media said Tehran had warned it would target US, UK and French bases in the region if the countries help Israel thwart Iran's strikes, according to reports on Saturday. Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Israel overnight after a series of Israeli strikes on the heart of Tehran's nuclear programme and armed forces. Tehran's UN ambassador said 78 people had been killed and more than 320 wounded in Israel's attacks, while its response was said to have killed at least three and wounded dozens. Israeli security forces inspect the site of homes destroyed by a missile fired from Iran, in Rishon Lezion, Israel (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) A Cobra meeting of high-level ministers was convened on Friday afternoon to discuss the situation. The same is not expected on Saturday but Whitehall officials were expected to be meeting. The conflict was ignited by early morning Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear bases on Friday. Israel said the barrage was necessary before Iran got any closer to building a nuclear weapon, although experts and the US government have assessed that Tehran was not actively working on such a weapon. Iran retaliated with waves of drones and ballistic missiles, with explosions lighting up the skies over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Both the UK and the US have insisted they were not involved in the Israeli strikes and that the country acted unilaterally. Sir Keir would not be drawn on whether the UK was given notice of Israel's attack after reports that the country was not forewarned following the Government's decision to sanction two far-right Israeli ministers last week. 'In relation to Israel, I had a good and constructive discussion with Prime Minister Netanyahu yesterday, and that included discussions about the safety and security of Israel, as you would expect, between two allies,' he said. Asked if Britain had been told in advance of Israeli's military plans, the Prime Minister said: 'I'm not going to go into what information we had at the time or since. 'But we discuss these things intensely with our allies. But I'm not going to get into precisely what we knew, because it's a constant flow of information between our allies, and between us and the US.'
Toronto Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
WARMINGTON: Peel and Toronto Police let public know they are monitoring Israel-Iran war
Police services put out X posts to assure public that extra eyes are being kept on conflict Get the latest from Joe Warmington straight to your inbox Smoke rises after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025. Photo by Vahid Salemi / AP Photo On this Friday the 13th coming after major preemptive military strikes by Israel in Iran, Toronto Police and Peel Regional Police are taking no chances. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Both stepped up with messages to the public and have deployed strategies to respond just in case they are needed. Everybody is hoping they will not be. But with the possibility of World War III on the horizon, they have done their due diligence to make sure their citizens are safe. 'We are in contact with our partners as we monitor the situation in the Middle East,' said an X post from Toronto Police. 'We continue to have an increased presence around places of worship and consular offices to ensure community safety.' We are in contact with our partners as we monitor the situation in the Middle East. We continue to have an increased presence around places of worship and consular offices to ensure community safety. — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) June 13, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Peel Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich told the Toronto Sun they have 'reached out to faith leaders, elevated patrols and are working on divisional mobilization to make sure people feel comfortable.' It's the right move. Get out ahead of it, just in case it rears its ugly head. Hopefully, it doesn't happen. But it's good to be prepared, and prepared Toronto Police and Peel police are. Other GTA services are said to be deploying similar protocols. Certainly, with senior Iranian military and political figures reported to have been taken out permanently by Israeli precision attacks, Toronto and the GTA have to be on high alert after 21 months of antisemitic violence, protest and vandalism here. Jewish schools, synagogues, businesses and the consulate have faced attacks or protests. And with the Iranian regime sending out tweets depicting Jews as a rat, it offers concern of potential provocation. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We continue to have an increased police presence around places of worship and consular offices to ensure community safety,' said the Toronto Police message. It's a tricky time for police in that they don't want to be commenting on the conflict itself, but with history as an indicator, they understand the reality of what that conflict could mean for local streets. This is being handled well. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. And it didn't take long for Toronto Police to have to deal with their first protest situation following the overnight bombing. Police say about 200 demonstrators took over the lobby of Scotiabank's headquarters on King Street West to protest investment in Israel military weapons systems. Meanwhile, as Canada gets ready to host the G7 summit in Alberta, all eyes are on Prime Minister Mark Carney's government and its response to the overnight bombing of Tehran and of Iranian's nuclear programs. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Carney, as of this publication, had not updated his X account since tweeting about the Edmonton Oilers big comeback win in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, but his foreign minister, Anita Anand, did. 'Canada is closely following the escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran,' she wrote on X Friday morning. 'Further action risks triggering a broader regional conflict with devastating consequences. De-escalation must be the priority.' Like she and the Liberal government have done in previous communications, it is another example of Canada appearing to treat both sides as equal combatants. While Israel is Canada's ally and Hamas and the Iranian dictatorship are widely denounced as being terror threats, there seems to be a tone from the Canadian government of trying to sit in the middle. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Canada is closely following the escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran. Further action risks triggering a broader regional conflict with devastating consequences. De-escalation must be the priority. We urge all parties to refrain from actions that further destabilize the… — Anita Anand (@AnitaAnandMP) June 13, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We urge all parties to refrain from actions that further destabilize the region. The protection of civilians must be paramount,' Anand wrote. Meanwhile, Pierre Poilievre of the Conservative Party is steadfast in his support of Israel. 'We should all hope that this is the end of the regime's nuclear program and that the great Persian people can now rise up and reclaim their country from the totalitarian regime,' tweeted Poilievre. Israel has the right to defend itself—including by disarming Tehran's genocidal nuclear program. It cannot wait until the regime has capabilities for a nuclear strike. We should all hope that this is the end of the regime's nuclear program and that the great Persian people can… — Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) June 13, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It's such a stark contrast between approaches of the government and the opposition. Short of denouncing the Iranian regime or their antisemitic messaging, Anand did, however, write, 'Canada remains deeply concerned by the threat posed by Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program. Importantly, Canadians in the region are advised to exercise a very high degree of caution, monitor developments closely, and follow the advice of local authorities.' It's a dangerous place for both Canadians and Americans to be right now. But back here on home soil, police are aware of that danger, understand that they are the front lines in Canadian cities and towns, and have taken the prudent action to ensure people in their municipalities feel safe and are protected. jwarmington@ Read More Toronto Maple Leafs Sunshine Girls Toronto & GTA Columnists World
