First Minister John Swinney calls for 'de-escalation' after US-Irael strikes on Iran

Scotland’s First Minister has called for “de-escalation” after Iran was rocked by US and Israeli air strikes.

A major attack on targets across Iran was launched in the early hours of Saturday morning as Donald Trump called on the Iranian people to “take over your government”.

The first strikes appeared to target the compound of Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in central Tehran. It was not clear if he was there at the time.

Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported that one strike at a girls’ school in Minab in Hormozgan province had killed 40 people. Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has a base in the city.

The violence quickly expanded with the Revolutionary Guard saying it had responded by launching a “first wave” of drones and missiles targeting Israel, where a nationwide warning was issued as the military said it was bringing down Iranian fire.

John Swinney said: “The Iranian government is an undemocratic, repressive regime and there must be a diplomatic solution to ensure they do not become a nuclear power.

“Recent history shows us that all nations must abide by the international rules-based system and it is for the United States and Israel to now demonstrate how this intervention is compatible with that position.

“The international community should now work together and at pace on a solution which focuses on de-escalation, ensures there is no additional loss of life and which provides a diplomatic route to ending the nuclear ambitions of the Iranian regime.”

The UK Government said its priority is “the safety of UK nationals” in the Middle East but that it is “ready to protect our interests”.

It is understood the UK was not involved in the US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Sir Keir Starmer will chair a meeting of the Government’s emergency Cobra committee on Saturday morning.

A Government spokesperson said: “Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution.

“Our immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region and we will provide them with consular assistance, available 24/7.

“As part of our longstanding commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East, we have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which we have recently bolstered. We stand ready to protect our interests.

“We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict.”

The Foreign Office has also updated travel advice for UK nationals in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait to warn people to “immediately shelter in place”.

The advice on the FCDO website said: “Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities.”