The British Foreign Secretary announced that over 100,000 British nationals are anticipated to have evacuated the Middle East due to the ongoing conflict. More than 300,000 British citizens were in the region when the US-Israel war with Iran broke out, leading to challenges with airstrikes and closed airspace. Efforts have been ongoing to facilitate their return home through additional Government charter flights.

The Foreign Secretary also criticized Tehran for its impact on the global economy during the conflict, which has resulted in rising oil prices and increased living costs domestically. Additionally, an extra £10 million in aid has been pledged for Lebanon to prevent a potential conflict with severe humanitarian consequences following Israeli strikes.

Ms. Cooper emphasized the critical need for urgent diplomatic discussions to prevent further escalation of the conflict. She condemned the attacks by Lebanese Hezbollah on Israel and expressed support for Lebanon’s sovereignty while highlighting concerns about the impact of Israeli Defense Force actions on Lebanese civilians. The situation has led to significant displacement and casualties, prompting the UK to allocate an additional £15 million for essential humanitarian assistance in the region to mitigate further instability.