UK Says Forces Defensive Only Amid Iran Conflict

LONDON: (Web Desk) – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said UK military forces and aircraft are engaged in coordinated defensive missions across the region to safeguard Britain’s interests and allies, stressing that London is not involved in US or Israeli strikes on Iran.

The escalation follows attacks targeting Iran’s senior leadership, pushing the Middle East closer to a wider conflict. US President Donald Trump said the operation was aimed at eliminating security threats to the United States and opening a path for Iranians to challenge their leadership.

In a video message shared on X, Starmer said British forces were operating in line with international law and that security measures at UK bases and for personnel had been raised to the highest alert level. The government declined to provide further details about the nature of the defensive activities.

The prime minister underlined that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains a central objective for Britain and its allies. He again confirmed that the UK played no role in the US and Israeli strikes, while describing Iran’s leadership as deeply repressive.

UK Joins Regional Defense as Iran Strikes

Starmer held talks with his French and German counterparts after convening a COBRA emergency meeting, part of ongoing diplomatic engagement with allied nations. In a joint statement, the leaders strongly condemned Iranian attacks across the region and called for renewed negotiations.

He warned that further escalation could trigger a broader regional war and said Tehran still had an opportunity to halt the crisis. Starmer urged Iran to stop further military action, abandon its weapons programmes, and end violence against its own population, saying Iranians deserved the right to decide their future.