RAF Typhoon fighter jets were last night rushed to the Middle East amid the spiralling Israel-Iran conflict.

Sir Keir Starmer acted after Iran warned the UK would be targeted if it helped stop retaliatory strikes.

Iranian state media said US, British and French facilities would be in the line of fire if they help defend Israel over Iran’s drone and missile retaliation.

The Prime Minister, on his way to the G7 summit in Canada, said: “I will always make the right decisions for the UK and our allies.

“We are moving assets to the region, including jets, and that is for contingency support in the region.

"I will be clear-eyed in relation to our duties and obligations and my duties as Prime Minister.”

When pushed on whether there would be any UK involvement in the conflict, he said: “I’m not going to get into that.”

Jets and refuelling aircraft will be sent — adding to our presence there under Operation Shader.

Aircraft began their preparation for heading to the Middle East on Friday morning when ministers realised the situation was deteriorating.

Israel launched strikes on Iran’s nuclear plants which led to Iran firing back with ballistic missiles at Tel Aviv on Friday night.

Sir Keir’s intervention comes after a diplomatic blitz by telephone in the past 48 hours with the leaders of the US, Saudi Arabia and Israel.

Speaking about his conversation with US President Donald Trump, the PM added: “I’ve discussed with Mr Trump, as you would expect, what the possible routes to de-escalation are given the situation we find ourselves in.

“I think there is a widespread  concern about escalation.”

Defence sources confirmed Typhoon jets were dispatched on the mission.

The RAF fighter jets have been used recently to launch precision strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen — where the rebel group were  manufacturing attack drones.

The Prime Minister  insisted he would be holding intense negotiations face-to-face with fellow leaders at the G7 summit from today.

He refused to go into detail on whether the UK had been warned about the Israeli attack in advance.

The PM added: “We do have long-standing concerns about the nuclear programme Iran has.

"We do recognise Israel’s right to self-defence but I’m absolutely clear that this needs to de-escalate. There’s a huge risk of escalation for the region.

“More widely in terms of conflict, you can see the impact already on the economy and oil prices.

“And, of course, all of this is linked to what’s going on in Gaza. My position is this needs to de-escalate and that is the primary focus of the discussions that I’ve been having and will continue to have.”

Sir Keir revealed that he had “good and constructive talks” with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

He said the discussion had included the “safety and security” of Israel.

Sir Keir declined to discuss operational issues but said the  situation in the region was “intense and fast moving”.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy also spoke with representatives from Iran, Jordan and Saudi Arabia and European foreign ministers on Friday.

Tensions between Israel, the US and Iran have ramped up in recent weeks as negotiations  aimed at stopping Iran developing nuclear weapons rumble on.

Relations have also deteriorated between Israel and the UK after two Israeli ministers were sanctioned over their comments on Gaza.

Security had been stepped up at all military bases in the US “based on world events”, the US military said in a statement last night.