Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has denied that the UK is being dragged into an Iraq-style conflict in the Middle East, after an Iranian drone strike hit an RAF base in Cyprus. The attack was part of a barrage of strikes by Tehran following a US-Israeli attack that killed Iran's supreme leader.
Ms Cooper confirmed that ministers are considering possible plans to evacuate about 300,000 Britons from the region. She told the BBC that around 102,000 people have registered their presence with UK authorities, and rapid deployment teams are being sent to work with the travel industry and airlines on safe return options.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer agreed to let the US use British military bases to attack Iranian missile sites, a decision that prompted alarm among opposition parties. The Liberal Democrats demanded a parliamentary vote on the matter.
Ms Cooper insisted the support was limited and specific, saying: 'We took a very specific decision not to provide support for strikes that were taking place over this weekend.' She added that the UK had a responsibility to defend partners in the Gulf and protect British citizens and interests.
The drone strike at RAF Akrotiri targeted the airport runway, and the Ministry of Defence said residents at the base were being moved to alternative accommodation on Cyprus as a precaution. Ms Cooper declined to give further details on the attack.
