The UK government has stated it possesses "advanced capabilities" to defend itself after Iran warned that Britain would "bear responsibility" for permitting the United States to use British military bases. Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the UK of "complicity in the crime of aggression and war crimes" by allowing the US to carry out what it called "unlawful attacks."
The UK has declined to participate in offensive campaigns against Iran but has allowed the US to launch defensive strikes from British bases hosting American personnel, including RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has maintained the agreement reached under his predecessor Sir Keir Starmer.
Government response to Iranian threats
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: "Our armed forces are ready to keep the United Kingdom safe from any kind of attacks, whether it's on our soil or from abroad. The UK stands ready 24/7 to defend itself." The spokesperson added that this includes a layered approach to air and missile defence provided by Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force assets equipped with advanced capabilities, working closely with NATO allies. The UK remains committed to defending its people, interests and allies while acting in accordance with international law.
Iran's comments follow the government's decision to designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a threat to national security, meaning those carrying out acts of sabotage on behalf of the group will face life imprisonment. This follows a series of arson attacks in London and a double stabbing in Golders Green earlier this year.
BAE Systems CEO warns on defence spending
The threat from Iran comes as Charles Woodburn, chief executive of BAE Systems, warned that UK defence spending "falls well short" of what is required. Describing the current climate as "the most threatening time I've seen," Woodburn pointed to advances made by Russia in Ukraine. The government announced plans to increase defence spending by an additional £15 billion in June, but then defence secretary John Healey resigned due to inadequate military funding.
Woodburn told the BBC that the extra funding still "falls well short of what is needed to protect the country." He said: "This is by far the most threatening time I've seen. Even when I joined the company in 2016 I was amazed at what we saw Russian submarines doing, the cyber attacks. I think that's come a long way sadly as a result of the Ukraine conflict we're much more aware of the proximity of a hot war in Europe."
US strikes on Iran continue
The United States has carried out 13 consecutive nights of strikes against targets in Iran. US Central Command said the latest strikes, which began late on Thursday, were designed to "further degrade Iran's ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional waters" as the two countries wrestle for control of the Strait of Hormuz. Explosions were reported in Bandar Abbas, Qesham, Andimeshk and Omidiyeh, according to Iranian state media.
US Central Command announced that Iranian military command centres, drone storage facilities, communication networks, coastal surveillance sites and maritime capabilities had been targeted. Their statement said the Strait of Hormuz "remains open for transit despite recent attacks from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps."
Former US President Donald Trump said he would "hold Iran responsible" for attacks on shipping by the Houthis in Yemen and that the US would seize Iranian assets to cover the cost of damaged ships. Iran's foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi described such an act as "incendiary," saying on social media: "Those who celebrate or profit from such funds should remember: once governments normalize confiscation, no one's assets are safe. Ensuing chaos will not be pretty or peaceful."
