John Swinney calls on UK to insist on diplomacy over Iran

UK minister Douglas Alexander said the Government 'has been putting contingencies in place' as the region braces for any potential retaliation from Iran.
US President Donald Trump said three key nuclear sites in Iran were 'completely and fully obliterated' in the military strikes.
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The US is thought to have used B-2 stealth bombers to drop bunker-busting munitions on the sites – including the deeply-buried Fordo facility – as well as 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from submarines.
The US-UK base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean is not thought to have been used in the operation.
Posting on X, Mr Swinney said: 'The Middle East conflict has reached an alarmingly greater level of danger after the US attacks on Iran.
'The conflict must be stopped by a diplomatic solution delivered through the international community. And the UK Government must insist on that now.'
The Prime Minister had earlier said Iran should 'return to the negotiating table', noting the region remains 'volatile'.
He said: 'Iran's nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security.
'Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat.'
Former Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf was critical of the Prime Minister's response.
He posted on social media: 'An awful statement from the PM, which ignores our collective responsibility to uphold international law.
'Supporting illegal military action in Iran, and gas-lighting us about an imminent nuclear threat, is hauntingly reminiscent of the lies told in the run up to the Iraq war.'
During a protest march in London, Mr Yousaf had earlier accused the UK Government of 'abusing' anti-terror laws against the Palestine Action group, which vandalised two aircraft at RAF Brize Norton.
Trade policy minister Mr Alexander, who is the MP for Lothian East and a former international development minister, spoke to the BBC's Sunday Show.
He said: 'I understand that people have woken up this morning to the news that was breaking overnight with a real sense of concern.
'I want to assure your viewers that the British Government has been putting contingencies in place.
'There have been a whole series of meetings, I and other have been attending Cobra meetings in the course of the week.'
He said plans are being put in place to move UK nationals in affected countries to safety, stressing the UK 'took no part in this military action'.

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Starmer and Trump call for Iran to return to negotiating table after US strikes

Rhyl Journal

29 minutes ago

Rhyl Journal

Starmer and Trump call for Iran to return to negotiating table after US strikes

The Prime Minister spoke to the US President on Sunday night after an air raid by B-2 stealth bombers and a salvo of submarine-launched missiles hit Iran's nuclear facilities. Downing Street said the leaders agreed Tehran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and called for Iran to return to negotiations. 'The leaders discussed the situation in the Middle East and reiterated the grave risk posed by Iran's nuclear programme to international security,' Downing Street said. 'They discussed the actions taken by the United States last night to reduce the threat and agreed that Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. 'They discussed the need for Iran to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible and to make progress on a lasting settlement. 'They agreed to stay in close contact in the coming days.' Earlier, Sir Keir – whose previous calls for restraint appear to have been ignored by the American leader – said there was a 'risk of escalation', adding: 'That's a risk to the region. It's a risk beyond the region, and that's why all our focus has been on de-escalating, getting people back around to negotiate what is a very real threat in relation to the nuclear programme.'