LOC16:37
13:37 GMT
LONDON, June 13 (KUNA) -- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on Friday for "restraint" and "diplomacy" after the Israeli occupation forces launched a barrage of airstrikes on Iran early on Friday.
He called in a statement reports of the Israeli occupation's so-called Operation Rising Lion "concerning."
Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had targeted the "heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme," which he feared would eventually be aimed at the Israeli occupation.
Iran promised "severe punishment" for the attacks, which killed several top commanders and nuclear scientists, and launched 100 drones towards the Israeli occupation in an initial response.
Starmer urged "all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently."
He added: "Escalation serves no one in the region. Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate.
"Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy."
David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, called it a "dangerous moment" and said "stability in the Middle East is vital for global security."
Further escalation is a serious threat to peace and stability in the region and in no-one's interest," he said on X account.
"This is a dangerous moment and I urge all parties to show restraint." (end)
nbs.bs