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The UK’s deployment of additional jets to the Middle East was primarily to protect British personnel and bases, but left open the possibility of supporting Israel in its war with Iran, British finance minister Rachel Reeves said Sunday.
Speaking to Sky News, Reeves called the move a “precautionary” step, adding, “We’re sending in assets to both protect ourselves and also potentially to support our allies.”
Asked if the UK would aid Israel if requested, she said, “We have, in the past, supported Israel when there have been missiles coming in.”
Steven Witkoff, Donald Trump’s special envoy, established direct contact with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday night, CNN reported citing an informed source.
While Iranian officials continue to hold the US responsible for Israel’s attacks and say they are not ready to resume talks, efforts to revive diplomacy are underway.
A new round of negotiations had been scheduled for Sunday but was canceled. Germany has now expressed readiness to begin urgent nuclear talks with Iran, in coordination with Britain and France, aiming to de-escalate the regional crisis.
Iran has asked Cyprus to deliver a message to Israel, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said Sunday, according to the Cyprus Mail.
“We will do so,” he told reporters, noting he has a phone call scheduled today with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“The role of the Republic of Cyprus in the region, I want to reiterate, as well as our characteristic, is that we will talk to everyone and to the best of our ability… we try to convey messages, to create the conditions so that this difficult state of affairs can be ended,” Christodoulides said.
Insurance companies do not cover losses caused by wartime attacks, Ahmad Sadeghi, a member of Tehran’s city council said Sunday.
His remarks come amid widespread damage from Israeli strikes and growing concerns over the government's emergency preparedness.
