Foreign Secretary David Lammy also told MPs the first RAF evacuation flight of 63 vulnerable British nationals left Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport for Cyprus earlier on Monday
David Lammy has told MPs one British national has been injured in Israel as a result of Iranian strikes as the crisis in the Middle East escalates.
The Foreign Secretary also said the first RAF evacuation flight of 63 vulnerable British nationals left Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport for Cyprus earlier on Monday. In a Commons update, Mr Lammy said: “This is a perilous moment in the Middle East, waves of strikes between Israel and Iran have now lasted for 10 days, continuing overnight.
“I know the whole House will have in their thoughts the many civilians impacted by the fighting. I can confirm today, this includes one British national, injured in Israel. We’ve reached out to offer consular support.”
Mr Lammy said further RAF flights to evacuate British nationals will be arranged by the Foreign Office based on “demand and the latest security situation”.
He added: “Throughout the crisis, the safety of British nationals in the region has been our top priority. That is why the UK Government is working with the Israeli authorities to arrange RAF and charter flights to help those wanting to leave.”
“Today’s flight will bring British nationals and their dependents safely back to the UK. While the situation in the Middle East remains volatile, we are working around the clock to secure more flights and bring more people home.”
The Government used an RAF A-400M aircraft for the flight from Tel Aviv to Cyprus – with passengers due to transfer on to a civilian charter aircraft for the onward journey to the UK this afternoon.
Earlier Mr Lammy warned Iran it would be a “catastrophic mistake” to fire at US bases in the Middle East in revenge for strikes on its nuclear sites. He urged Tehran to step from the brink, “get serious, and calm this thing down” after Donald Trump’s weekend bombings fanned the flames in the region.
Mr Lammy said he was “crystal clear” to Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, “it would be a huge catastrophic mistake to fire at US bases in the region at this time”. And he stressed that the UK played no role in the US or Israeli bombings – but repeatedly refused to be drawn on whether the US action was legal.
Mr Lammy said: “ I can tell you, as Foreign Secretary that we were not involved. It is for the Americans to discuss those legal issues.
“What we are involved in alongside the Americans, alongside Europe, alongside our Arab partners, is attempting to get the Iranians to take seriously our longstanding concerns about their nuclear program and their nuclear ambition.”