News: Starmer speaks to Trump after UK joins defensive operation in Middle East — latest news
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer spoke with US President Donald Trump after the US and Israel launched strikes across several Iranian cities, including the capital Tehran, and said British planes were "in the sky" in the Middle East on a defensive operation to protect people, interests and allies. The conversation and moves on deployments come as leaders press Iran to refrain from indiscriminate strikes and the region reels from counterattacks that have disrupted travel and security.
News: Starmer relays British defensive posture and reiterates non-participation in strikes
Sir Keir told Mr Trump that British planes were "in the sky" in the Middle East as part of a defensive operation "to protect our people, our interests and our allies, " a position he reiterated during their call. He said the US and Israel had launched strikes across several Iranian cities, including Tehran, after negotiations to limit Iran's nuclear programme ended without a deal, and that the UK did not participate in those initial strikes.
RAF jets and deployments from Qatar and Cyprus to counter incoming threats
Starmer said RAF fighter jets were flying "in the sky today" to defend allies in the Middle East against Iranian retaliation, conducting defensive operations from Qatar and Cyprus to shoot down incoming drones and missiles. The UK has recently deployed RAF Typhoons to Qatar to protect al-Udeid airbase and other allied facilities, and an extra six F-35s plus additional air defence, radar and counterdrone systems were sent to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, from where they can be deployed to defend Israel, Jordan or other countries.
Iranian counterattacks, British bases and nationals affected across the region
Iran launched an immediate counterattack that included strikes on Israel and Jordan and attacks on US bases in Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait; British forces are located at those bases in small numbers. British nationals in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates were advised to shelter in place after reports of Iranian missile attacks, and the Foreign Office advised against all travel to Israel and Palestine. British airbases were not used by the US air force as part of the initial attack; earlier this month Starmer rejected a request from Donald Trump to use RAF bases in Diego Garcia and Fairford.
Joint statement with Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz and government position
Sir Keir, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz released a joint statement calling on Iran to "refrain from indiscriminate military strikes" and urging the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution so "the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future. " The three leaders said they did not participate in the strikes and added they were in contact with the US, Israel and other regional allies. A government spokesperson said that Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, that the immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals with consular assistance available 24/7, and that the UK has bolstered defensive capabilities in the region and stands ready to protect its interests while seeking to avoid wider escalation. Earlier on Saturday, Starmer chaired a meeting of the government’s emergency Cobra committee to discuss the UK response.
Domestic and regional security concerns as Iran vows a "crushing" response and travel disruption mounts
Starmer condemned Iran's retaliatory attacks "on partners across the region" after explosions were heard in several Middle East countries with US facilities, calling the strikes "indiscriminate" and noting many of the countries attacked "are not parties to this conflict. " He warned the Iranian regime poses a "direct threat" in the United Kingdom to dissidents and the Jewish community, saying "over the last year alone, they have backed more than 20 potentially lethal attacks on UK soil" and that they "must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. " Iran's Supreme National Security Council has promised a "crushing" response to the US-Israeli attacks. Protections for British bases and personnel have been stepped up to their highest level.
Flights grounded, casualties in the Gulf and local incidents in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
The situation has caused major disruption to air travel and security in the region, with hundreds of thousands of Britons potentially affected. One person died and others were injured at Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports as missile threats grounded flights. In Dubai, four people were injured after an "incident" at a building in the Palm Jumeirah area; eyewitness images and footage showed a plume of smoke near the Fairmont The Palm hotel.
