If Iran – or its Hezbollah or Houthi proxies – strike US military bases in the region, America could be drawn into the war. It is unlikely Britain could then stay out of it
The conflict in the Middle East may seem a long way away. But we are closer to the front line than many think.
Brits stranded in Lebanon may need to be evacuated by the Royal Navy if they miss the last rescue flight out of Beirut on Sunday. Cyprus-based Typhoons scrambled on Tuesday when Iran launched its missiles at Israel. In April, the RAF shot down Iranian drones.
If Iran – or its Hezbollah or Houthi proxies – strike US military bases in the region, America could be drawn into the war. It is unlikely Britain could then stay out of it. The effects of Israel reaching into Lebanon can already be felt. The threat to target Iranian oil fields pushed prices up by 5%.
A fifth of supplies go through the Strait of Hormuz. If Iran blocked that, we would face a 1970s-style oil crisis sending inflation soaring. And the longer Israel’s assault on Lebanon continues, the more refugees will flee. Those with relatives in Britain may head here.
It is for all those reasons that Keir Starmer must keep calling for a ceasefire, even if Benjamin Netanyahu does not seem to listen. Those who say our PM should stop telling the Israeli one what to do are wrong. International pressure on all sides is the only hope.
The US no longer has an embassy in Tehran, but Britain does. That could yet prove a crucial diplomatic channel. Iran would not be the pushover Saddam Hussein was. Mr Starmer has promised no repeat of the Iraq fiasco. He must do all in his power to avoid going back on that pledge before this war really does hit home.
Bloody marvel
Britain has some of the worst cancer survival rates in the world – below those of America, Australia, China and Korea. Which is why Health Secretary Wes Streeting, a cancer survivor himself, is right to invest in a new blood test which could detect early signs of the disease.
Thanks to technology developed during Covid, it would mean medical interventions could begin years before symptoms develop. The chance of being successfully treated has doubled in 50 years. Routine NHS lung scans now catch three-quarters of cancers early.
But, as Mr Streeting says, this simple blood test would be a game changer, revolutionising the way cancer is tackled. And giving nine in 10 of those diagnosed the chance of long, happy and fruitful lives.
Bark from dead
This weekend we reveal how celebrities are cloning their pets. Barbra Streisand’s dog, Samantha, was such a star she’s been reborn twice and animal lover Simon Cowell is also interested. As he once co-owned a racehorse with his celebrity pals Ant and Dec, he could clone another. And call it Pop Bridle.
