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Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed on Saturday that British warplanes are currently engaged in “defensive operations” across Middle East skies following a massive military escalation in the region.
In his first public response to the joint U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, Starmer clarified that the United Kingdom played no role in the offensive actions against the Islamic Republic.
He emphasised that British military activity remains strictly in line with international law and is focused on protecting the security of regional allies and UK interests.
Speaking after an emergency meeting with senior ministers and talks with European counterparts, the Prime Minister revealed that the UK has recently taken steps to strengthen its defensive capabilities in the area.
He stated that British forces are active and coordinated with regional partners to safeguard personnel and assets.
Despite this military presence, Starmer maintained that the UK’s immediate priority is de-escalation, urging Tehran to refrain from further retaliatory strikes and to abandon its weapons programmes as a path back to the negotiating table.
The conflict has already caused significant disruption to international travel and safety.
Major carriers, including British Airways and Wizz Air, have suspended flights to several regional hubs, including Tel Aviv, Amman, and Dubai.
Furthermore, the UK Foreign Office issued an urgent “shelter in place” warning for British citizens currently in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates following reports of missile attacks across the Persian Gulf.
As the situation evolves, the British government has updated its travel advice to strongly discourage all travel to Israel and Palestine.
Starmer’s administration warned that the ongoing strikes risk blowing up into a broader regional conflict if diplomatic efforts fail.
The Prime Minister concluded his statement by calling for an end to the “appalling violence and repression” within Iran, framing it as an essential component of restoring long-term stability to the region.
