A SENIOR SNP MP has joined calls for Rishi Sunak to make a statement addressing the recent attack launched by Iran on Israel when MPs return to the House of Commons on Monday.
Former SNP leader at Westminster Ian Blackford has said the attack last night put world powers at "a dangerous crossroads" and de-escalation must be a priority across the region – including in Gaza.
It comes as current SNP leader at Westminster Stephen Flynn said it should be "clear to all that regional de-escalation must be our shared objective, and at the bedrock of that lies an immediate ceasefire in Gaza".
Iran launched 170 drones, more than 30 cruise missiles, and more than 120 ballistic missiles early on Sunday. It marks the first time a direct military assault has been launched by Tehran on Israel despite decades 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 nations as the Israel continues its attack in Gaza.
READ MORE: Israel declines to heed 'restraint' calls in response to Iran attack
On Twitter/X, Blackford wrote: "Parliament returns from recess tomorrow. It is important that the Prime Minister @RishiSunak comes to the House of Commons and makes a statement on the situation in the Middle East.
"It is important that as we have done over Ukraine that we seek to build consensus and show leadership on calling out the Iranian attacks on Israel but that we also find a pathway to de-escalation across the region including a ceasefire in Gaza.
"We are at a dangerous crossroads."
He had earlier posted on social media: "Thank goodness that air defence systems limited the damage from the Iranian attacks on Israel. Iran must be universally condemned for the attack on Israel and the right of self defence of Israel clearly stands.
"That being said the need for leadership around the world and a desire for de-escalation needs to be heard loud and clear in Israel, Iran and elsewhere. There should be no march to a wider regional conflict.
"As part of this we need to establish a ceasefire in Gaza, see a return of the hostages and a pathway to a sustainable peace anchored around a two-state solution that offers security to all in the region."
Flynn also wrote: "Just as we rightly hold Israel to account for their actions, so too must we stand resolute in condemning this Iranian attack.
"It should be clear to all that regional de-escalation must be our shared objective, and at the bedrock of that lies an immediate ceasefire in Gaza."
Just as we rightly hold Israel to account for their actions, so too must we stand resolute in condemning this Iranian attack.
— Stephen Flynn MP (@StephenFlynnSNP) April 14, 2024
It should be clear to all that regional de-escalation must be our shared objective, and at the bedrock of that lies an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Plaid Cymru's Westminster Leader, Liz Saville-Roberts, echoed Blackford's calls, writing: "We're at a very dangerous moment internationally As parliament returns from recess tomorrow, Rishi Sunak must outline how the UK will do all it can to prevent the escalation of the conflict in the region.
"The solution obviously involves ending the Israeli offensive in Gaza."
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper also called for a statement from Sunak as Labour backed the UK Government action taken overnight to help protect Israel.
Cooper told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “Let’s be clear, we support the existing Government missions in the Middle East and continue to do so.
“That is important. We also think that it is important that action was taken overnight to prevent the Iranian strikes on Israel because we should be clear that if action hadn’t been taken to prevent those strikes, we would have seen further escalation and further risk of widening conflict.”
Sunak is expected to join US President Joe Biden on a G7 leaders call on Sunday amid fears of further escalation in the event of a possible Israeli counter-strike.
Britain and the US have offered staunch support for Israel, with the Ministry of Defence saying RAF warplanes in Iraq and Syria had been deployed to intercept “any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions”.
Israeli military spokesperson 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.
The UK Prime Minister has condemned “in the strongest terms” Iran’s “reckless attack” as he pledged to “continue to stand up for Israel’s security and that of all our regional partners”.
READ MORE: Iran: No further operations are planned if Israel does not respond
Cabinet minister Victoria Atkins said Britain is now putting “all of our efforts” into de-escalation in the Middle East, saying no one wants to see a “miscalculation or an escalation.”
She refused to be drawn on the extent to which RAF planes have been involved in protecting Israel from the Iranian attack, saying she could not provide a running commentary on a “live operation”.
“The Prime Minister held a Cobra meeting on Friday, he was kept updated throughout yesterday and last night and has had calls already this morning, and there is planned to be a G7 leaders call later today,” Ms Atkins told Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips.
The “circle of knowledge” on developments in the conflict has to be “very, very tight”, she said when asked whether the Cabinet was consulted before RAF planes were authorised to protect Israel.
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