Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly has warned that ‘many, many thousands’ of people from Northern Ireland are in Middle Eastern countries being targeted by Iran. Speaking to BBC’s Good Morning Ulster, she urged those in the region to register with official schemes to receive real-time safety updates.
The warning comes as Iran and its allied militias have launched missiles at Israel and Arab states, reportedly hitting the US embassy compound in Kuwait. In response, the US and Israel have conducted airstrikes on Iran, with the Iranian Red Crescent Society reporting 555 deaths so far.
The conflict expanded further when a drone attack targeted RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, hours after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer authorised American forces to use British bases for strikes on Iranian missile sites. Around 300,000 Britons are believed to be in affected countries, with 102,000 registered with the Foreign Office for updates.
Ms Little-Pengelly emphasised the need for clear stance against Iran, stating that ‘stability in the Middle East does not come from indulging extremism and terrorism’. She condemned Iran’s actions as ‘absolutely wrong’ and called for the UK Government to do everything possible to stabilise the region.
