Bbc Nees — bbc nees: Starmer speaks to Trump after UK joins defensive operation in Middle East
The prime minister has spoken to Donald Trump after US and Israel launched strikes across several Iranian cities, including the capital Tehran, the nees briefing said. Sir Keir Starmer said 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. "
Nees: Starmer's Trump call
The phone call followed US and Israeli strikes that were launched after negotiations to limit Iran's nuclear programme ended without a deal. Sir Keir reiterated in the call with the US president that the UK did not participate in those strikes and that British defensive activity was intended to protect personnel and interests.
British planes and defensive action
In his public remarks the prime minister said 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. " He made it explicit that such defensive activity is "in line with international law" and repeated that the UK was not involved in the American and Israeli attacks.
Joint European leaders' statement
Sir Keir, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz released a rare joint statement calling on Iran to "refrain from indiscriminate military strikes" and urging the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution. The three leaders said: "France, Germany and the United Kingdom have consistently urged the Iranian regime to end Iran's nuclear program, curb its ballistic missile program, refrain from its destabilising activity in the region and our homelands, and to cease the appalling violence and repression against its own people. "
Condemnations and quoted demands
The joint statement added: "We did not participate in these strikes, but are in close contact with our international partners, including the United States, Israel and partners in the region. " In separate remarks Sir Keir said he wanted to see "peace and security" in the Middle East and the "protection of civilian life. " He also said: "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. "
Retaliation, threats and security steps
Sir Keir condemned Iran's retaliatory attacks "on partners across the region" after explosions were heard in several Middle East countries that host US facilities, saying many countries attacked were "not parties to this conflict" and calling Iran's strikes "indiscriminate. " He warned that "even in the United Kingdom, the Iranian regime poses a direct threat to dissidents and to the Jewish community" and said: "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. "
The prime minister said protections for British bases and personnel had been stepped up to their highest level. Iran's Supreme National Security Council has promised a "crushing" response to the US-Israeli attacks.
Domestic politics and diplomatic caution
The prime minister is under pressure from the left of British politics to call the American strikes "illegal" and unjustified, while those on the right want overt support. Starmer has adopted a cautious diplomatic line: he did not give direct backing to Donald Trump's decision to strike Iran, but signalled agreement with the rationale and urged Iran to "give up their weapons programmes and cease the appalling violence and repression, " stopping short of echoing the President's desire for regime change. The PM is leading a Labour party still haunted by the Iraq war and is balancing relations with the White House; he is said to have previously blocked the US from using UK bases, reportedly over concerns about breaching international law, despite Mr Trump wanting to do so.
Regional disruption, injuries and naval readiness
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. Four people were injured after an "incident" at a building in the Palm Jumeirah area of Dubai, with eyewitness images and footage showing a plume of smoke near the Fairmont The Palm hotel. The EU said it is exploring "diplomatic paths" with Arab nations and called on all parties to exercise "maximise restraint" to protect civilians and respect international law. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen described developments as "greatly concerning" and said the EU was in "close contact" with diplomatic partners; she reaffirmed commitment to regional security and to ensuring nuclear safety and preventing actions that could further escalate tensions. The EU's Aspides naval mission remains on high alert in the Red Sea and "stands ready to help keep the maritime corridor open. " Emmanuel Macron called for an urgent meeting of the UN security council, saying the war has "serious consequences" for international peace and security.
UK emergency response
In the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer chaired a meeting of the government's Cobra emergency committee to discuss how Britain will respond to the attacks. Defence officials have revealed details of the UK's Middle East operations, including taking down Iran drones.
Alongside Turkey and Kuwait, the prime minister has been given a phone call from Donald Trump; the prime minister has reiterated the UK's defensive posture while urging negotiation and restraint across the region.
Unclear in the provided context: the exact timing of some statements and the full list of countries directly affected beyond those mentioned.
