Politics latest: RAF ‘flew into the face of danger to protect civilians’, says PM as pilots

Royal Air Force jets shot down “a number of drones” fired by Iran in the Middle East yesterday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said.

He added that “the fallout for regional stability would be hard to overstate” had Iran’s attack on Israel been successful.

Mr Sunak said: “Last night Iran launched a barrage of missiles and  attack drones across the Middle East towards Israel. 

“This is a dangerous and unnecessary escalation which I have condemned in the strongest terms.

“Thanks to an international co-ordinated effort, which the UK participated in, almost all of these missiles were intercepted, saving lives not just in Israel but in neighbouring countries like Jordan as well.”

Mr Sunak confirms that the UK sent “additional planes” to the region as part of operations already under way in Iraq and Syria.

“I can confirm that our planes did shoot down a number of Iranian attack drones.”

The prime minister also confirms that he chaired a COBRA meeting on Friday “to agree a plan of action”.

“It’s clear that Iran is determined to sow discontent and destabilise the region – its own backyard – that’s very clear from its actions.”

He says, had the attack been successful, the fallout for regional stability “would be hard to overstate”. 

“What we now need is for calm heads to prevail.”

Mr Sunak says the UK will be “working with our allies” to “de-escalate the situation”.