UK Government refuses to condemn Israeli strikes on Iran, including killing of civilians
By Elham Asaad Buaras and Ahmed J Versi
London, (The Muslim News): Downing Street has refused to condemn Israel’s airstrikes on Iran that reportedly killed senior military figures, nuclear scientists, and civilians, including women and children. Instead, the UK government issued only broad appeals for restraint, a stance widely criticised amid mounting civilian casualties and growing international outrage.
The Israeli assault — Operation Rising Lion — was launched in the early hours of June 13, targeting multiple Iranian sites including the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, Khondab and Khorramabad military installations, and densely populated residential areas within Tehran.
Iranian state media confirmed the deaths of top military leaders, including Revolutionary Guard commander-in-chief Hossein Salami, armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri, and IRGC Aerospace Force commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh. Six senior nuclear scientists — among them Fereydoon Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi — were also assassinated.
Residential districts such as Tajrish in northern Tehran were struck, and state sources reported significant civilian casualties.
Hospitals in Tehran confirmed dozens of injuries, with emergency services overwhelmed, particularly in Tajrish. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as missiles exploded near homes, damaging civilian infrastructure. Iranian officials said 78 people have been killed, over 300 injured, children were among the dead.
According Iraqi news site, Rudaw, “Iraq submits a complaint to the UN Security Council about Israel’s “violation” of its airspace when carrying out airstrikes on Iran – State media,” Rudaw tweeted.
Evasion at Downing Street
At journalists Lobby briefing on June 13, the Prime Minister’s official spokesperson (Spox) repeatedly sidestepped direct criticism of Israel. Asked about the UK’s position by The Muslim News, the spokesperson stated, “The strikes are concerning, and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently.” He also refused to condemn Israeli killing of civilians including children. The Spox also refused to say whether UK would come in defence of Israel when Iran retaliates with drones and missiles as it had done in the past.
Journalists quickly noted a marked shift in the UK’s language. Unlike past instances — when the government routinely affirmed Israel’s right to self-defence — there was no such endorsement this time. Pressed on the omission, the spokesperson reiterated, “Our focus is on de-escalation. We urge all parties to de-escalate and to show restraint. We’ve been clear that further escalation in the Middle East is in no one’s interest.”
Questions about whether Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, had communicated with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, either before or after the strikes were met with repeated deflection. The spokesperson responded, “I’m not going to get into private conversations or comment on intelligence matters.” When pressed again, he repeated, “As I say, I’m not going to get into private conversations. As I say, I’m just not going to comment on private conversations.”
Similarly, the government avoided offering any position on the legality or justification of the Israeli action. The Spox said, “There’s no comment on whether the strikes are justified… Again, I’d point you to statements from the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary. We are engaging partners and we’re pressing for de-escalation and diplomacy.”
Military support denied — but questions remain
While No 10 insisted the UK played no “direct role” in the operation, clarity was lacking on whether any indirect support was given. The spokesperson confirmed, “The UK did not participate in Israeli strikes overnight.” But when asked if Britain had aided Israel’s interception of Iranian retaliatory drones, the reply was more ambiguous: “My understanding is no… in terms of overnight, the UK’s not been involved in that.” However, he added, “The UK has given support” in similar past scenarios.
On whether the UK would respond with action should Israel escalate further, the Spox maintained neutrality: “Our priority is to prevent further escalation in the Middle East which is in no one’s interest and we’re working closely with our allies to press for a diplomatic solution.”
When asked once more whether the UK had helped intercept Iranian drones, the response remained opaque: “So my understanding is no… As you appreciate, operationally we just can’t preempt anything that would happen, but in terms of overnight, the UK’s not been involved in that.”
Escalation and fallout
Israel claimed responsibility for deploying 200 planes and over 330 munitions. Prime Minister Netanyahu called it a “targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival”, asserting it struck “at the heart of Iran’s nuclear weaponisation programme.”
In retaliation, Iran launched more than 100 drones at Israel, most reportedly intercepted. Some were intercepted by Jordan.
The exchange marked one of the most direct confrontations between the two rivals in decades.
Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, described the moment as “dangerous”, stating that “Stability in the Middle East is vital for global security… Further escalation is a serious threat to peace and stability in the region and in no one’s interest.” He postponed his overseas trip because of Israeli attacks on Iran.
Starmer echoed that sentiment on X, writing: “Escalation serves no one in the region. Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy.”
UN and EU reaction
The United Nations expressed alarm. A spokesperson for Secretary-General António Guterres said, “The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the growing risks of miscalculation and broader regional conflict. He urges all actors to uphold international humanitarian law and avoid actions that could further destabilise the region.”
The European Union voiced similar concern. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said, “Targeting civilian areas and causing indiscriminate harm cannot be justified. This is an extremely dangerous spiral of confrontation.” He called for all parties to return to diplomacy immediately.
US President Donald Trump supporting Israeli attacks, tweeted: “Two months ago I gave Iran a 60-day ultimatum to ‘make a deal’,” Trump added in a post on Truth Social. “They should have done it! Today is day 61 … Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!” Trump warned that the “next already planned attacks” on Iran would be “even more brutal”
Muslim Council of Britain: ‘Silence is complicity’
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) condemned Israel’s actions “in the strongest possible terms,” calling the strikes a dangerous escalation in a months-long campaign of unchecked aggression. The MCB highlighted that Netanyahu, already the subject of an ICC arrest warrant issued in November 2024, had expanded the conflict from Gaza to Damascus, Beirut, Sana’a, and now Tehran.
Dr Wajid Akhter, Secretary-General of the MCB, warned, “This is the act of a genocidal regime dragging the world toward catastrophic war. Netanyahu, indicted for war crimes, unleashes terror with impunity while civilians burn – and Israel is handed a blank cheque. The UK Government’s silence is complicity. Enough with the double standards. If any other state had committed a fraction of these crimes, sanctions would be immediate. Yet Israel is shielded, indulged, and excused. The international community has failed again and again and history will remember this cowardice. Every delay, every deflection, every refusal to name the aggressor makes us all complicit. Justice demands more than words.”
Despite the scale and ramifications of the attack, there is still no indication that the UK government plans to take meaningful diplomatic action. A COBRA emergency meeting is expected to be held later today.
[An infographic titled “Senior Iranian commanders killed in Israeli attacks” created in Ankara, Turkiye on June 13, 2025. Photojournalist: Mehmet Yaren Bozğun/AA]
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