Britain is unlikely to assist the United States in an attack on Iran, but a deployment of RAF Typhoon jets to Qatar signals a willingness to help regional allies if Tehran retaliates. The UK's 12 Squadron, a joint Typhoon unit with the Qatari air force, moved from Lincolnshire to the Gulf state last week at the request of the Qatari government to protect the country from potential drone and missile counterattacks.
British defence sources said the forward deployment was aimed at helping defend Qatar, which hosts the largest US airbase in the region, the al-Udeid airbase. Iran has warned that US bases in the region, often home to small numbers of British personnel, would be targeted if President Donald Trump bombed the country in support of protesters against the Iranian regime.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer declined to comment on speculation about US military action in Iran while on a trip to China, focusing instead on preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. However, British defence sources acknowledge that the US president is seeking to 'give himself options' with the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group to the Middle East.
Britain previously assisted Israel in self-defence during Iranian drone and missile attacks in April and October 2024. In April, UK fighters shot down Iranian drones, though the RAF role in October was negligible. Typhoon jets would only be expected to help protect Qatar or other Gulf states from drones and cruise missiles, as ballistic missiles are too fast for jets to intercept.
The al-Udeid airbase in Qatar is the largest US military facility in the Middle East, home to about 10,000 US troops and the US Central Command headquarters. Earlier this month, it hosted about 100 UK RAF personnel, though most were evacuated during a previous escalation of tensions. US F-15 jets have also been redeployed from Lakenheath in Suffolk to Jordan, likely for defensive purposes.
