Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump have held a lengthy phone call to discuss the escalating situation in the Middle East and Ukraine peace talks. Trump in a posting

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump discussed the escalating crisis between Israel and Iran in a roughly hour-long phone call on Saturday.

Gold rose to a near two-month high on Monday, as intensified clashes between Israel and Iran over the weekend stoked fears of a broader regional conflict, pushing investors towards safe-haven assets.

Israel’s attack on Iran has catapulted their long-running conflict into what could become a wider, more dangerous regional war and potentially drive prices higher for both businesses and households.

It is the first time that Britain has advised against travel to any part of Israel since 2013, when the FCDO set up its dedicated travel advice pages. Starmer has not ruled out offering air support to defend Israel from Iranian attacks, as additional RAF fighter jets and other military aircraft were deployed to the Middle East.

The chancellor is facing questions on the conflict between Israel and Iran and the government's Spending Review.

Britain is moving additional military assets, including fighter jets, to the Middle East to provide support across the region, Prime Minister Keir Starmer told reporters on Saturday as he was en route to a Group of Seven meeting in Canada.