Starmer urges Iranian president not to attack Israel

“The Prime Minister underlined his commitment to an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza. He added the focus should be on diplomatic negotiations, to achieve those outcomes.”

Starmer and Pezeshkian’s conversation, their first since the Labour leader assumed office, came amid a wider diplomatic push to stop Iran from attacking Israel.

Also yesterday, a statement from the Prime Minister and the leaders of the United States, France, Germany, and Italy aimed at deterring Iran.

It said: “We expressed our support for the defence of Israel against Iranian aggression and against attacks by Iran-backed terrorist groups. We called on Iran to stand down its ongoing threats of a military attack against Israel and discussed the serious consequences for regional security should such an attack take place.”

Israeli officials say they expect an attack from Iran in the coming days in response to the killing of senior Hezbollah official Fuad Shukr in Beirut and the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran (for which Israel has not claimed responsibility) in late July.

The leaders also expressed their “full support for ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions and reach a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza.”