Speaking to UK counterpart, Sa’ar urges world to ‘compel Iran to change its behavior’

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar discussed the conflict in Iran as well as the efforts to free Israeli hostages in Gaza with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy by phone this afternoon, Sa’ar’s office announces.

In the conversation, Sa’ar hailed the United States’ overnight attack on Iranian nuclear sites, saying Washington “acted as the leader of the free world,” according to a statement from Sa’ar’s office.

“Israel continues its operations in Iran in accordance with the objectives and plans set by the security cabinet,” Sa’ar added.

The minister emphasized that “for decades the international community has been weak and helpless in the face of [the Iranian regime’s] destabilizing conduct, its encouragement of terrorism, and its nuclear and ballistic missile programs,” and urged the international community “to compel Iran to change its behavior.”

Following the US strikes, the United Kingdom stated that it did not participate in the offensive and urged Iran to reach a diplomatic solution.

Sa’ar also updated Lammy on the IDF’s recovery last night of the bodies of three hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, and reaffirmed “Israel’s commitment to securing the release of all its hostages” and its desire to reach a deal based on the framework laid out by US envoy Steve Witkoff, which would pause the war in Gaza for some 60 days in exchange for about half of the hostages.