UK planes ‘in the sky’ in Middle East as part of defensive operation, PM says
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British planes “are in the sky” in the Middle East as part of a defensive operation “to protect our people, our interests and our allies”, the prime minister has said.
In a pre-recorded statement televised on Saturday, Sir Keir Starmer said protections for British bases and personnel had been stepped up to their highest level.
The US and Israel launched strikes across multiple Iranian cities including capital Tehran on Saturday morning, after negotiations to limit Iran’s nuclear programme ended without an agreement. The UK did not participate in the strikes.
Earlier, the PM released a joint statement with the leaders of France and Germany, calling for Iran to “refrain from indiscriminate military strikes”.
In his speech, Sir Keir said he wanted to see “peace and security” in the Middle East and the “protection of civilian life”.
He added: “Iran can end this now.
“They should refrain from further strikes, give up their weapons programme and cease the appalling violence and oppression of the Iranian people – who deserve the right to determine their own future.”
The prime minister condemned Iran’s retaliatory attacks “on partners across the region” after explosions were heard in several Middle East countries with US facilities.
He said many countries attacked by Iran “are not parties to this conflict” and called Iran’s strikes “indiscriminate”.
“Even in the United Kingdom, the Iranian regime poses a direct threat to dissidents and to the Jewish community”, Sir Keir added.
“Over the last year alone, they have backed more than 20 potentially lethal attacks on UK soil.
“So it is clear they must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.”
Earlier, Sir Keir, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged Iran to “refrain from its destabilising activity in the region and our homelands, and to cease the appalling violence and repression against its own people”.
“We urge the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution. Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future,” the three leaders added.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has promised a “crushing” response to the US-Israeli attacks.
The situation in the Middle East has caused major disruption to air travel and security in the region, with hundreds of thousands of Britons potentially affected.
British people in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have been told by the UK Foreign Office to immediately shelter in place.
UK nationals in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Oman have also been instructed to “remain vigilant” and take shelter if advised to do so.
Explosions and air raid sirens were heard in Qatar’s capital, Doha, which is host to a US military facility. Qatar’s defence ministry said it had intercepted Iranian missiles.
Bahraini state news also reported the service centre of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet based in the Gulf nation had been “subjected to a missile attack”.
A Cobra meeting about the US and Israeli air strikes on Iran was held on Saturday morning, chaired by Sir Keir.
The emergency committee, which involves ministers and officials, meets to co-ordinate the government’s response to an emerging situation.
“Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution,” a government spokesperson said.
“Our immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region and we will provide them with consular assistance.”
They added: “We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she stood with the US and Israel “as they take on the threat of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its vile regime”.
Meanwhile, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he prayed “for the right outcome for the wonderful Persian people” as “attacks against this evil regime in Iran begin”.
Additional reporting by Matt Cole and Marc Ashdown
