Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declared that the United Kingdom will not participate in the ongoing US-Israeli offensive against Iran, stressing that Britain’s involvement remains strictly defensive.
Speaking in a video address, Starmer said the UK agreed to a US request to use its bases for a “specific and limited defensive purpose,” but clarified that British forces were not involved in the initial wave of strikes on Iran.
“I want to be very clear: we all remember the mistakes of Iraq. And we have learned those lessons,” he said. “We were not involved in the initial strikes on Iran, and we will not join offensive action now.”
Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer reinforced the government’s stance, stating that the UK is not at war. He described the decision to avoid the first round of attacks as “deliberate,” while confirming support for defensive operations in response to what he termed “reckless attacks from Iran.”
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed that a drone strike targeted an airport runway and said the government is exploring all possible options to assist British nationals in the region. She noted that about 300,000 UK citizens reside in Gulf countries affected by the rising tensions.
Meanwhile, Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides reported that a Shahed unmanned aerial vehicle crashed into military facilities at the British base in Akrotiri shortly after midnight, causing minor material damage.
Despite the attack, British authorities insist their role remains limited to defensive support and that the UK will not engage in offensive military action.
