More RAF jets are sent to the Middle East as Rishi Sunak urges Israel to avoid ... trends now
More RAF jets have been sent to the Middle East as Rishi Sunak urges Israel to avoid escalating clashes with Iran.
Downing Street said planes have been shifted from Romania as a 'prudent' measure amid rising tensions.
The move comes as the PM called for 'calm heads to prevail' amid frantic diplomatic efforts to defuse the situation.
Mr Sunak's official spokesman said Tehran is 'intent on sowing chaos in its own backyard' following the 350-missile blitz over the weekend.
The premier will make a statement to MPs this afternoon, but No10 has dismissed pressure for a vote after the RAF helped Israel shoot down Iranian drones.
British planes were already operating above Iraq and Syria and were given further permission to join the US response, the spokesman said.
'The RAF sent Typhoon fighter jets and air refuelling tankers to the region to bolster our existing operations to counter Daesh [Islamic State] in Iraq and Syria under Operation Shader,' he told reporters.
'Those jets shot down a number of one-way Iranian attack drones over Iraq and Syria.
'They also backfilled American planes in the counter Daesh operation, allowing them to deploy elsewhere to deal with the incoming threat from Iran.'
Lord Cameron (right) pleaded with Israel not to escalate clashes with Iran today amid frantic efforts to defuse tensions. Rishi Sunak (left) will make a statement to MPs later
Israel's Iron Dome responding to intercept the attack by Iran over the weekend
The spokesman added: 'We already have a significant presence in the region but as a prudent measure we temporarily moved a number of aircraft from Romania to bolster our existing footprint.
'Allied air forces continue to patrol NATO airspace to ensure it is protected from all threats and we have coordinated with NATO and our allies on our planes to ensure there is no gap in Romania.'
Earlier, Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron echoed Joe Biden's suggestion that Benjamin Netanyahu should 'take the win' as he toured broadcast studios.
He insisted the world needs to maintain a focus on Hamas and the continuing standoff over hostages from the October 7 terror attacks.
The US, UK and other allies are hoping to take the heat out of the situation, which comes against the backdrop of the bitter conflict in Gaza.
There are fears violence could spread across the Middle East, and potentially drag in
