British forces in Bahrain were within 200 metres of an Iranian missile and drone strike on the US naval base on Saturday, one of several incidents drawing UK personnel into the Middle East conflict. Three hundred UK personnel were near the strike, but no casualties were reported. The attack was part of over 25 waves of retaliatory strikes following the US-Israeli bombing campaign against Iran.
In Iraq, British forces shot down an Iranian drone heading for a western base, and an Iranian missile landed 400 metres from UK personnel on counter-Islamic State operations. A Typhoon jet also downed a drone heading towards Qatar using an air-to-air missile, the Ministry of Defence confirmed.
The UK is not participating in the US-Israeli attack on Iran, which has faced criticism for lacking international legal foundation, but is engaged in regional defence to protect allies. Defence Secretary John Healey stated Iran is “lashing out in an increasingly indiscriminate and widespread way,” and Britain is protecting civilian sites and military assets.
British jets from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus and Al Udeid airbase in Qatar have been mobilised to shoot down drones and cruise missiles, but cannot intercept faster ballistic missiles. All UK personnel in the Middle East are safe and accounted for, remaining on high alert with positions under review.
Since the US and Israel attacked Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Tehran has struck Israel, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Jordan. Attacks targeted US bases, Kuwait’s airport, Dubai’s Fairmont hotel and a Bahrain skyscraper. Iran also fired missiles towards Cyprus, likely aimed at the US Ford carrier strike group.
