00:00Breaking news this hour, Israel's Defence Minister says it's launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran.
00:05Iran has since launched indiscriminate strikes across the region.
00:11It is my duty, the highest duty of my office, to protect British lives.
00:27Earlier this morning, the United States and Israel struck targets in Iran.
00:34Iran has since launched indiscriminate strikes across the region.
00:40Emmanuel Friedrich, really good to hear from you.
00:43I've been speaking with leaders today from the E3 and across the region.
00:47Prime Minister, how are you?
00:49Ah, hi, hi. How are you, my friend?
00:51I condemn Iran's attacks today on partners across the region.
00:56What's the extent of any damage or casualties?
00:59We extend our support and solidarity to them as part of our commitments to the security of our allies.
01:06I think we are all concerned about what could happen within the next couple of hours or days.
01:10We weren't involved, as we've made clear, in the strikes.
01:14Although we are operating defensively in the region.
01:19To protect our people, our interests and our allies.
01:27Over the last two days, Iran has launched sustained attacks across the region.
01:34At countries who did not attack them.
01:37This is clearly a dangerous situation.
01:40Yesterday, Iran hit a military base in Bahrain, narrowly missing British personnel.
01:47Their approach is becoming even more reckless.
01:50The only way to stop the threat is to destroy the missiles at source.
01:56The United States has requested permission to use British bases for that specific and limited defensive purpose.
02:09We have taken the decision to accept this request.
02:14We're not joining the offensive, this is about collective safe defence of regional allies and British civilians are now at
02:21risk.
02:21Good.
02:25Yeah, and we've got 45 minutes, so should we just go through it page by page to start with, does
02:32that make sense?
02:33Mr Speaker, with permission, I will update the House on the situation we've arrived.
02:36Last night, a drone hit RAF at Crateri, incited.
02:41There were no casualties in this strike.
02:44Welcome to this statement, Prime Minister.
02:47It is my duty, the highest duty of my office, to protect British lives.
02:55That is why we put water jets in the air, typhoons and F-35s, as part of coordinated defensive operations,
03:04which have already successfully intercepted Iranian strikes, including Mr Speaker taking out Bondro,
03:12who was heading towards a coalition base in Iraq, housing UK service personnel.
03:18The basis for our decision is the collective self-defence of long-standing friends and allies,
03:26and protecting British lives.
03:33All right, let us press on. I'm going to deal with the international situation.
03:36You are going to be put through to the office of the President of Cyprus.
03:40Nikos, can you hear me?
03:41These are very big decisions. I want to hear your views.
03:44Obviously reflecting on where we've got to, but most importantly, I think,
03:48helping with the principles that we should apply as we go forward from here, because that's where we need consensus.
03:53Can I just express, one, my outrage at the fact there was a drone attack on Akritiri on Sunday night?
04:01We're deploying a Type 45 air defence destroyer to help defence Cyprus.
04:10We're working as fast as possible to get our people out.
04:16Over 140,000 individuals in the region have registered their presence, enabling us to get them the information and the
04:25support that they need.
04:27More than 4,000 people have now arrived back in the United Kingdom on commercial flights from the UAE.
04:34British Airways is putting on daily flights from Oman, and we will keep working with all of our partners to
04:39increase the speed and capacity of this airlift.
04:43As a nation, we should come together in this moment.
04:48We are united by our common humanity and our love of this country.
04:53This conflict could continue for some time.
04:58So I want you to know that your government is resolute in our response, at home and abroad.
05:05We will do everything we can to protect British lives, uphold British values and safeguard the national interest. Thank you.
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