Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have warned Iran against carrying out any attacks against Israel.

“We are deeply concerned by the heightened tensions in the region, and united in our commitment to de-escalation and regional stability,” they said in a joint statement.

“In this context, and in particular, we call on Iran and its allies to refrain from attacks that would further escalate regional tensions and jeopardise the opportunity to agree a ceasefire and the release of hostages. They will bear responsibility for actions that jeopardise this opportunity for peace and stability. No country or nation stands to gain from a further escalation in the Middle East.”

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.

On Saturday, Untied States President Joe Biden urged Iran against taking any action against Israel. Asked by reporters if he had a message for the leaders of the Islamic Republic, he simply replied “don’t”.

Starmer, Macron and Scholz also expressed their backing for American, Qatari and Egyptian efforts to reach a ceasefire between Israel and terrorist group Hamas.

They said: “We endorse the joint statement of HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, President Sisi and President Biden calling for the immediate resumption of negotiations. We agree that there can be no further delay. We have been working with all parties to prevent escalation and will spare no effort to reduce tensions and find a path to stability. The fighting must end now, and all hostages still detained by Hamas must be released. The people of Gaza need urgent and unfettered delivery and distribution of aid.”

Over the weekend, Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned an Israeli attack on a school in Gaza.

He said on Twitter that he was “appalled by the Israeli Military strike on al-Tabeen school and the tragic loss of life. Hamas must stop endangering civilians. Israel must comply with International Humanitarian Law.”

The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry claimed that over 90 civilians were killed, but the IDF said that at least 19 terrorists, including senior Hamas officials, were present at the time of the strike.