First Minister calls for 'de-escalation' in Middle East conflict

First Minister John Swinney has said the situation in the Middle East needs to be “de-escalated” amid the ongoing conflict.

It comes after US President Donald Trump said three key nuclear sites in Iran were “completely and fully obliterated” in the military strikes.

The US is thought to have used B-2 stealth bombers to drop bunker-busting munitions on the sites, including the deeply-buried Fordo facility, as well as 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from submarines.

The US-UK base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean is not thought to have been used in the operation.

The First Minister told STV News that the situation needed to be “de-escalated” during a visit to a school in the Springburn area of Glasgow on Monday.

“The international community must use every device and intervention at its disposal to make sure that’s the case,” he said.

“There are obviously very dangerous circumstances that people are experiencing in the Middle East and it’s important that they have all the support that’s available to them should they require any assistance with their safety, and that will be available through the dialogue that we have with the Foreign and Commonwealth office.”

During his visit, Swinney encouraged the UK Government to “put all of their weight” behind diplomatic efforts to stem the conflict.

“To wake up to what we woke up to yesterday morning is very, very frightening and alarming, and I don’t think any of us should underestimate the significance and the severity of the situation that we face.”

He added: “That’s why I have made a strong plea for every resource of the international community to be deployed to de-escalate the situation and to get the world to step back from the brink.”

Asked if he was concerned about British involvement in the conflict, he said: “There’s obviously the potential for this to have very wide-ranging implications, and they could involve the United Kingdom.”

Swinney previously said the Middle East conflict has reached “an alarmingly greater level of danger” after the US attacks on Iran in a post on X.

“The Middle East conflict has reached an alarmingly greater level of danger after the US attacks on Iran,” posted.

“The conflict must be stopped by a diplomatic solution delivered through the international community. And the UK Government must insist on that now.”

The Prime Minister had earlier said Iran should “return to the negotiating table”, noting the region remains “volatile”.

He said: “Iran’s nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security

“Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat.”

Former first minister Humza Yousaf was critical of the Prime Minister’s response.

He posted on social media: “An awful statement from the PM, which ignores our collective responsibility to uphold international law.

“Supporting illegal military action in Iran, and gas-lighting us about an imminent nuclear threat, is hauntingly reminiscent of the lies told in the run-up to the Iraq war.”