Israel has said it expects the UK to take part in military action against Iran if it attacks them.
Iran has threatened to avenge the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh with an attack on Israel.
In response Israel has said that if attacked it expected its allies including the UK, France and the US to join in a strike back.
The country’s foreign minister Israel Katz told his British and French counterparts David Lammy and Stéphane Séjourné “that Israel expects France and Britain to publicly clarify to Iran that it is unacceptable for it to attack Israel and that if Iran attacks, the US-led coalition will join Israel not only in defense but also in an attack against significant targets in Iran.”
Katz made the comments as he met with foreign ministers making a joint trip to Israel amid an international effort to secure a ceasefire in Gaza was stepped up.
He aded “Israel cannot not respond strongly to attacks on it.”
The UK and France were both part of an international coalition that helped defend Israel in April when Iran launched hundreds of missiles into the country.
Lammy said following the meeting with Katz: “This is a dangerous moment for the Middle East.The risk of the situation spiralling out of control is rising. Any Iranian attack would have devastating consequences for the region.”
Hamas attacked Israel killing an estimated 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
It is believed that 111 hostages remain in Gaza.
The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry said Friday that 40,005 people in the Strip have been killed or are presumed dead in the fighting so far, though the toll cannot be verified and does not differentiate between civilians and fighters.
The sides are locked in ceasefire negotiations being brokered by Qatar.
