RAF jets shot down attack drones in Iranian assault on Israel, Rishi Sunak confirms
The Prime Minister confirms RAF warplanes downed "a number of" attack drones launched by Iran against Israel.
Rishi Sunak confirms RAF shot down Iranian drones
RAF jets shot down Iranian attack drones launched in an assault on Israel overnight, Rishi Sunak has confirmed.
The Prime Minister said the UK participated in an “international coordinated effort” to intercept strikes by Tehran.
He said RAF warplanes based in Syria and Iraq had been deployed to protect Israel.
Mr Sunak called for "calm heads to prevail" ahead of a meeting of G7 leaders amid fears of further escalation in the event of a possible Israeli counter-strike.
Speaking in Downing Street, he said: "I can confirm that our planes did shoot down a number of Iranian attack drones.
"I want to pay tribute to the bravery and professionalism of our pilots flying into the face of danger to protect civilians."
Mr Sunak added that if Iran's attack on Israel been successful "the fallout for regional stability would be hard to overstate".
Israel said Iran launched 170 drones, more than 30 cruise missiles and at least 120 ballistic missiles early on Sunday in an attack that set off air raid sirens across the country.
The assault was launched in response to a strike widely blamed on Israel on an Iranian consular building in Syria earlier this month which killed two Iranian generals.
It marks the first time a direct military assault has been launched by Tehran on Israel despite enmity dating back to the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The development threatens to become a major regional escalation after years of shadow wars fought between the two foes as the war in Gaza inflames decades-old tensions in the Middle East.
Britain and the US have offered staunch support for Israel, although Tehran has threatened a "heavier" response if Washington cooperates in any further military action.
Israeli military spokesman rear admiral Daniel Hagari said 99% of more than 300 drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles had been shot down outside the country's borders, with aircraft intercepting more than 10 cruise missiles.
US President Joe Biden said he would convene a meeting of the G7 advanced democracies on Sunday "to co-ordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran's brazen attack".
