Iran has stated it is not seeking to escalate the conflict in the Middle East but insists that Israel must be "punished," accord...
Iran has stated it is not seeking to escalate the conflict in the Middle East but insists that Israel must be "punished," according to the country's foreign ministry.
Amid widespread fears of the conflict spreading between Israel and Iran-backed militant groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, Iran reiterated on Monday that it was not aiming for regional escalation. However, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry emphasized that Israel must be "punished" to prevent further instability, following the killings of a senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon and Hamas' top political leader in Tehran. Iran and its allies attribute these deaths to Israel.
In light of these developments, the UK Foreign Office has decided to temporarily withdraw the relatives of British diplomats in Lebanon due to the "highly volatile security situation" in the country. This precaution comes amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran-backed groups Hezbollah and Hamas.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy has urged UK nationals to leave Lebanon immediately, warning that the consequences of a wider conflict in the region "could be catastrophic." Over the weekend, Lammy stressed the urgency of the situation: "Tensions are high and the situation could deteriorate rapidly. While we are working round the clock to strengthen our consular presence in Lebanon, my message to British nationals there is clear - leave now."
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