Keir Starmer Condemns Iran's Reckless Attack on Kuwaiti Oil Refinery
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has strongly condemned what he described as a "reckless" Iranian drone and missile attack on a major oil refinery in Kuwait. The assault occurred overnight as the regional conflict entered its fifth week, with Tehran launching strikes across the Middle East.
UK Deploys Rapid Sentry Air Defence to Kuwait
In a phone call with Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Starmer confirmed the deployment of Britain's Rapid Sentry air defence system to the Gulf nation. This ground-based short-range missile launching weapon is designed to protect Kuwaiti and British personnel and interests while avoiding escalation into wider conflict.
The Prime Minister reiterated that the United Kingdom stands firmly with Kuwait and all its allies in the Gulf region. Defence Secretary John Healey, who visited the area earlier this week, announced that the Rapid Sentry system had already arrived in Kuwait. Additionally, the RAF's counter-drone Orcus system is assisting soldiers in detecting Iranian drones early.
Coordinated Efforts to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
During their conversation, Starmer and the Crown Prince discussed coordinated international efforts to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz. This crucial oil and gas shipping lane has been blockaded by Iran in retaliation for the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign against it.
The blockade has sent global oil and gas prices skyrocketing, causing significant disruption to international shipping. Both leaders welcomed a meeting convened by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper yesterday, which brought together more than 40 nations to develop a viable plan to reopen the strait.
Widespread Damage from Iranian Attacks
The overnight Iranian attacks caused substantial damage across Kuwait. Beyond setting the oil refinery ablaze, missiles and drones also damaged a desalination plant, threatening water supplies. Smoke was seen rising from Kuwait International Airport following a drone strike on fuel storage facilities.
Gulf nations have borne the brunt of Tehran's reprisals throughout the conflict, with thousands of Iranian missiles and drones targeting US military sites and energy infrastructure across the region.
International Response and Sanctions Threat
Britain is leading diplomatic efforts to address the crisis, with Foreign Secretary Cooper signalling that Iran could face further sanctions if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. The Thursday talks she chaired represent a significant international coordination effort to pressure Tehran.
Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump has threatened to target Iran's bridges and electric power plants, declaring that the US military "hasn't even started destroying what's left in Iran." This statement followed a deadly air strike on a major suspension bridge in Iran.
A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed that Starmer and the Kuwaiti Crown Prince agreed to continue working together on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and would maintain close contact in the coming weeks as the situation develops.
