Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed that British planes are “in the sky” over the Middle East as part of coordinated defensive operations to protect allies, following US and Israeli preemptive strikes on Iran. The Prime Minister made the statement after chairing an emergency Cobra meeting on Saturday, as Iran launched retaliatory attacks against regional partners.
Speaking from Downing Street, Starmer condemned Iran’s actions and reiterated the UK’s commitment to regional security. “We have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which we’ve recently strengthened. Our forces are active and British planes are in the sky today as part of coordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests and our allies,” he said.
The UK has not taken part in the US-Israeli strikes, which President Donald Trump described as a “major combat operation” to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Starmer insisted that Iran “must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon” and accused the regime of orchestrating at least 20 terrorist plots against the UK in the past year.
However, the UK government has denied the US permission to use RAF bases for the strikes, citing concerns over international law. Former national security adviser Peter Ricketts said the US action “is not in any sense legal in a way that the UK would recognise,” as there was no imminent threat to America.
Starmer held a three-way call with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and the leaders issued a joint statement condemning Iranian attacks while urging Tehran to seek a negotiated solution. The Prime Minister warned the situation is “evolving very quickly” and said protections for British bases and personnel have been raised to the highest level.
