Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed that Royal Air Force fighter jets are actively defending allies in the Middle East following US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran. Speaking on Saturday, Starmer said British planes are 'in the sky today' to protect against potential retaliatory attacks from Tehran.
The UK did not participate in the initial bombing campaign, which targeted Iranian nuclear and missile sites. However, RAF jets operating from bases in Qatar and Cyprus are conducting defensive missions to intercept any incoming drones or missiles. The Ministry of Defence declined to specify which countries or bases are being protected, but the UK recently bolstered its deployments in the region.
Iran launched immediate counterattacks, striking Israel, Jordan, and US bases in Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. British nationals in affected Gulf states have been advised to shelter in place, and the Foreign Office has advised against all travel to Israel and Palestine.
Starmer, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, issued a joint statement condemning Iranian attacks and urging a negotiated solution. The leaders emphasised that they did not participate in the strikes but remain in contact with US and regional allies.
Labour MP Emily Thornberry, chair of the foreign affairs select committee, questioned the legality of the US-Israeli action, stating there was no imminent threat to justify the strikes. She urged the UK to resist being drawn into the conflict unless attacked directly.
Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch expressed support for the government's defensive stance, while the UK government reiterated its commitment to preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons and ensuring the safety of British nationals in the region.
