Israel's President criticizes Starmer for avoiding a clear stance and warns that Europe might be the next target for Iran's missile attacks.
Britain's Labour Party leader, Sir Keir Starmer, is under fire from Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, for not doing enough to support Israel amid its ongoing fight against Iran. In an exclusive interview with The Sun, President Herzog accused the UK government of sitting on the fence as his nation battles for its safety against Iranian aggression.
Herzog pointed out that Iran's missiles could eventually pose a threat to the UK, asking, "Why would Iran have missiles reaching London if London is not an enemy?" The Israeli leader emphasized the importance of moral clarity and urged the British leadership to take a clear stand in support of Israel.
Meanwhile, the war of words between Israel and Iran continues to escalate, with US President Donald Trump giving Iran a final deadline before launching an attack. Trump suggested he would make a decision in the next two weeks concerning a potential strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, following the deployment of battleships and aircraft towards the Middle East warzone.
The ongoing conflict has placed pressure on the UK government, with Israel-backing US President Trump urging other countries to join its efforts against Iran. However, the UK's Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have focused on pleas for de-escalation, urging all parties to back off and return to diplomacy.
In the face of international tension, President Herzog voiced his admiration for British values, praising the UK parliamentary system and expressing gratitude for his father's service in the British Army during World War II. With the Israeli president calling on the people of Iran to rise against their Supreme Leader and demanding an end to Iran's nuclear program and terror campaigns, the global community watches with bated breath to see how the ongoing drama will unfold.
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UK Government Response to Israel-Iran Conflict
The UK government has maintained a nuanced approach towards Israel's conflict with Iran, acknowledging Israel's right to defend itself from the Iranian threat while emphasizing the need for diplomacy and de-escalation. The UK believes that no military action alone can end Iran's nuclear ambitions and urges a negotiated solution. To support its regional allies, the UK has increased its military presence in the Middle East, including deploying additional Royal Air Force aircraft.
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References:
- "BBC News: Israel-Iran: Tensions rise - Middle East," BBC News, 2023. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51140910
- "The Guardian: Israeli air raids hit Iranian targets in Syria - Middle East," The Guardian, 2023. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/07/israeli-air-raids-hit-iranian-targets-in-syria-middle-east
- "Al Jazeera: Iran's nuclear programme: What you need to know," Al Jazeera, 2025. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/28/irans-nuclear-programme-what-you-need-to-know
- "CNN: Israel strikes Iran-linked targets in Syria," CNN, 2023. https://edition.cnn.com/2023/06/07/middleeast/israel-airstrike-syria-syria-intl/index.html
- "Reuters: G7 leaders endorse efforts to halt Iran's nuclear programme," Reuters, 2025. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/g7-leaders-endorse-efforts-halt-irans-nuclear-programme-2025-06-08/
Politics surrounding war-and-conflicts, such as the Israel-Iran standoff, have deepened, with UK's Labour Party leader, Sir Keir Starmer, under scrutiny for perceived unsupportiveness of Israel. Meanwhile, the UK government, while acknowledging Israel's right to self-defense, advocates for diplomacy to address Iran's nuclear ambitions and terror campaigns, as part of a nuanced approach to the ongoing general news issue.
