Sir Keir Starmer has joined French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in condemning Iran’s retaliatory strikes “in the strongest terms” whilst urging against further escalation after Britain played no role in US-Israeli attacks on Tehran.
The three leaders issued a joint statement declaring: “Iran must refrain from indiscriminate military strikes. We urge the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution. Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future.”
The statement followed a Downing Street emergency Cobra meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, with the UN Security Council also scheduled to meet later today. The joint declaration confirmed the three countries were “in close contact” with international partners including the US and Israel.
Speaking in Downing Street, Starmer confirmed: “The United Kingdom played no role in these strikes, but we have long been clear the regime in Iran is utterly abhorrent.” He stated British planes are “in the sky today” as part of coordinated regional defensive operations to protect UK people, interests and allies.
The Prime Minister condemned Iran’s attacks on partners across the region, stating: “Communities across our country will be deeply concerned about what this means for security and stability and for the fate of innocent people across the region, which for so many of us includes friends and family members.”
Starmer described the Iranian regime as posing “a direct threat to dissidents and to the Jewish community” in the UK, adding: “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 Government has advised UK nationals in some parts of the Middle East to “shelter in place” as Iran and Israel continue exchanging fire across multiple waves of strikes. British forces have stepped up protections for bases and personnel to their highest level “in line with international law.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch expressed full support for the US-Israeli attack, describing Tehran as a “vile regime” that “carries out attacks on the UK and on our citizens,” sought to build nuclear weapons and “brutally repressed pro-democracy protests only months ago.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called for the UK to allow the US to use British bases in further strikes, stating: “The Prime Minister needs to change his mind on the use of our military bases and back the Americans in this vital fight against Iran!”
Green Party leader Zack Polanski dubbed the attack “illegal” and “unprovoked,” writing: “This is an illegal, unprovoked and brutal attack that shows once again that the USA and Israel are rogue states. The UK must end our cosy relationship with the USA and our ongoing support for Israel.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged Starmer to rule out allowing British bases for “future unilateral US strikes,” stating: “Donald Trump’s unilateral and illegal military action won’t deliver freedom, peace and security. It will only unleash more bloodshed.”
Iran launched missiles across Israel including Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem following the US-Israeli strikes. The country’s military declared all US “bases, resources and assets” are “legitimate targets,” with dramatic footage showing hits on the Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama, Bahrain.
Iran also targeted US infrastructure at Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and areas in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Explosions were reported in Dubai including at the five-star Fairmont The Palm Hotel, whilst Jordan shot down two ballistic missiles.
Speculation continues about whether Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the first wave of strikes, though Iran’s Foreign Ministry stated he and the president were both “safe and sound.”
