LONDON - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain was sending Royal Air Force jets and other military reinforcements to the Middle East as the conflict between Iran and Israel threatened to escalate.

“We are moving resources to the region, including jets, for contingency support,” he told reporters during a flight to Canada for the G-7 summit. He said he had spoken with US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu , as well as other world leaders, about efforts to calm the situation in the region.

Iran has threatened to attack American, French and British bases if those countries help Israel defend itself from Iranian attacks.

Starmer said “intense discussions” on the issue were expected to continue at the summit, which will take place in Alberta.

The UK did not participate in Israel's defence during Iran's initial retaliatory strikes. Following Iranian threats to attack British, French and US bases if they helped Israel, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for calm and said all sides must avoid escalating the conflict.

He highlighted concerns about Iran's nuclear program, Israel's right to self-defense and risks to the global economy. Britain has sent military reinforcements to the Middle East as a precaution. Starmer has also spoken to leaders including Netanyahu, Trump and Mohammed bin Salman and will continue diplomatic engagements during a trip to Canada and the G7 summit.

Starmer said he had a “good and constructive” discussion with Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, on Friday, adding that it included talks “about Israel’s security, as you would expect between two allies”.

He also warned in the Financial Times about the effect an escalating conflict could have on the global economy. “You can already see the impact on the economy and on oil prices. And of course, all of this is linked to what is happening in Gaza. So you can see why my firm position is: this has to de-escalate,” he said.