Keir Starmer said RAF fighter aircraft are currently patrolling the skies to protect regional partners from possible Iranian retaliation following the US‑Israel bombing offensive aimed at regime change in Tehran.
The United Kingdom did not take part in the initial strikes on Iran on Saturday morning and has no plans to join them, although jets are conducting defensive patrols from Qatar and Cyprus to intercept any drones or missiles.
Iran responded instantly with attacks that hit Israel, Jordan and US installations in Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.
British personnel are present at those sites in modest numbers.
The Ministry of Defence provided few details and declined to name the specific nations or bases being shielded, even as Britain has recently increased its deployments in anticipation of a possible escalation.
In the previous month the UK sent RAF Typhoons to Qatar to guard the al‑Udeid airfield and other allied facilities in the area.
Six additional F‑35s together with extra air‑defence, radar and counter‑drone equipment were stationed at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, from where they could be dispatched to protect Israel, Jordan or other regional states.
Citizens of the United Kingdom in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates were urged to take shelter immediately after reports of Iranian missile strikes, and the Foreign Office warned against all travel to Israel and Palestine.
The prime minister, speaking alongside his French and German counterparts Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz, declared, “We did not take part in these strikes,” while all three leaders noted ongoing contacts with the United States, Israel and other regional partners.
Their remarks centred on Iran. “We denounce Iranian attacks on regional nations in the strongest terms. Iran must halt indiscriminate military actions. We call on its leadership to pursue a negotiated settlement. Ultimately, the Iranian people should decide their own destiny,” they said.
It is understood that US forces did not use British airfields for the operation; Starmer earlier turned down a request from Donald Trump to employ RAF sites at Diego García and Fairford.
The United States and Israel have launched a broad campaign intended to bring about regime change in Iran and to strike its nuclear and missile facilities. In its first response, Britain merely stated it opposes Tehran acquiring a nuclear weapon.
A government spokesperson said, “Iran must never be permitted to develop a nuclear weapon, which is why we have consistently backed efforts toward a negotiated solution. Our immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region, and we will provide 24‑hour consular assistance.
“As part of our long‑standing commitment to the security of our allies in the Middle East, we maintain a range of defens”
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