It is understood that the UK was not involved in the US-Israeli strikes.
Donald Trump claimed Iran was developing weapons that could target “our very good friends and allies in Europe” and US troops overseas as he confirmed US involvement in strikes on Tehran.
Israel and the US launched attacks on the Iranian capital and other parts of the country early on Saturday morning.
In a video posted on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump said the Iranian regime had “attempted to rebuild their nuclear programme and to continue developing long-range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas and could soon reach the American homeland”.
Sir Keir Starmer has convened the Government’s emergency Cobra committee as missile strikes continue to rock the Middle East. It is understood that the UK was not involved in the US-Israeli strikes.
A Government spokesperson said the UK did not want to see “further escalation into a wider regional conflict” and reiterated Britain’s support for a negotiated solution to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Iran has previously warned that it would retaliate against US personnel across the Middle East if attacked.
At around 8.10am UK time, the Israeli military said it had “identified missiles launched from Iran” towards Israel “a short while ago”, adding: “Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat.”
Following the strikes, the Foreign Office has warned against all travel to Israel while embassies in Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE have advised British nationals to shelter in place.
The spokesperson added: “Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution.
“Our immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region and we will provide them with consular assistance, available 24/7.”
Saturday’s attack follows mounting tension in the region, with the US deploying a vast fleet of warships and aircraft to try to pressure Iran into a deal over its nuclear programme.
Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said the attack had been carried out to “remove threats”, and the strikes are reported to have targeted a range of government and military sites.
One of the first is reported to have landed near the office of Iran’s supreme leader, the 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
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