Israel says it expects UK, allies to join fight if Iran launches retaliation

Israel's foreign minister told western allies including the UK and France that it expects them to attack Iran if it were to launch a retaliatory strike on Israeli territory.

"If Iran attacks, we expect the coalition to join Israel not only in defence but also in attacking significant targets in Iran," Foreign Minister Israel Katz told his UK and French counterparts, David Lammy and Stephane Sejourne, according to a statement from the Israeli office.

Lammy and Sejourne were on a foreign visit to Israel at the time of the remarks, where they were focused on trying to de-escalate tensions in the region and lobby for a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel.

"It would be inappropriate to speak of an Israeli response while we work towards a diplomatic solution... We are working to prevent Iranian retaliation," Sejourne told reporters in Jerusalem.

A UK government source told The Times that it would be "highly unlikely" the UK would participate in a direct attack on Iran but the country would come to Israel's defence.

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