THE Ministry of Defence (MoD) has issued an update on the UK's involvement in supporting Israel after Iran launched a barrage of missiles into the country.
We previously reported that UK forces were involved in the operation, but the scale of support was not yet clear.
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However, in a statement on Wednesday afternoon, the MoD said two Royal Air Force fighter jets – as well as a Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker – were used “to prevent further escalation in the Middle East”.
The statement continued: “Due to the nature of this attack, they did not engage any targets, but they played an important part in wider deterrence and efforts to prevent further escalation.
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“The Defence Secretary has thanked our personnel involved in the response.”
Tensions are rising amid growing fears of the conflict escalating to an all-out regional war in the Middle East.
On Wednesday, the Israeli military warned people to evacuate around 50 villages and towns across southern Lebanon, just days after launching what it said were limited ground operations near the border to combat the Hezbollah militant group.
Israel has also banned the United Nations’ secretary-general Antonio Guterres from entering the country, claiming he is biased against Israel.
Responding to Iran’s attack on Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he “stands with Israel”.
He added: “Make no mistake, Britain stands full square against such violence. We support Israel’s reasonable demand for the security of its people.”
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary David Lammy (above) confirmed that the first charter flight taking British nationals out of Lebanon has now departed.
“We have arranged another flight for tomorrow, and further flights over the coming days for as long as there is demand and it is safe to do so,” he added.
A separate scheduled Middle East Airlines service also brought Britons back to the UK.
Lammy urged British nationals still in Lebanon to register with the Foreign Office and leave the country immediately.
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