SIR Keir Starmer has condemned attacks by Iran on nations in the Middle East following US-Israeli strikes on Tehran this morning.
The prime minister issued a statement after leading a meeting of the Government’s emergency COBRA committee.
In his statement, Sir Keir said British jets “are in the sky today” over the Middle East “as part of co-ordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests and our allies”.
The prime minister has joined European allies, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in condemning the Iranian attacks.
U.S and Israeli forces launched strikes on Tehran this morning, prompting a fierce response from the Iranian regime that saw missiles blitz several countries in the Middle East.
The UK was not involved in the bombings, it is understood, with Keir Starmer previously denying U.S warplanes use of British bases for strikes on Iran.
It comes as...
The move is said to have caused a rift with Washington after Sir Keir Starmer blocked the request from President Trump.
The Prime Minister is understood to have told Donald Trump that a strike would be in breach of international law.
Reform UK’s Richard Tice demanded to know whether such a request had been refused again, saying a refusal would have “seriously damaged the special relationship.”
He went on to praise the US and Israel for acting to “protect us all in the West by destroying the dangerous Iranian regime.”
Sir Keir’s statement from Downing Street
Earlier this morning, the United States and Israel struck targets in Iran. Iran has since launched indiscriminate strikes across the region.
I know the British people and 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. So whilst the situation is evolving very quickly, I want to set out our response.
The United Kingdom played no role in these strikes, but we have long been clear the regime in Iran is utterly abhorrent. They have murdered thousands of their own people, brutally crushed dissent and sought to destabilize the region. Even in the United Kingdom, the Iranian regime poses a direct threat to dissidents and to the Jewish community.
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. That remains the primary aim of the United Kingdom and our allies, including the US.
I condemn Iran’s attacks today on partners across the region, many of which are not parties to this conflict. We extend our support and solidarity to them as part of our commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East. We have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which we’ve recently strengthened.
Our forces are active and British planes are in the sky today as part of coordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests and our allies. As Britain has done before, in line with international law, we’ve stepped up protections for British bases and personnel to their highest level. We are also reaching out to UK nationals in the region and doing everything we can to support them.
I’ve been speaking with leaders today from the E3 and across the region. It is vital that we prevent further escalation and return to a diplomatic process. We want to see peace and security and the protection of civilian life.
Iran can end this now. They should refrain from further strikes, give up their weapons programs, and cease the appalling violence and repression against the Iranian people who deserve the right to determine their own future.
In line with our long standing position, this is the route to de-escalation and back to the negotiating table. Thank you.
His leader, Nigel Farage, said the Prime Minister should “change his mind on the use of our military bases and back the Americans in this vital fight against Iran.”
However, Dame Emily Thornberry, chairwoman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, said it was “absolutely right” that the UK had not been involved in the strikes.
She said: “There is no legal basis for this attack. I fear that we will be hit by the consequences, however.
“The whole region will be further destabilised, which is dangerous. Whilst the Iranian reaction during the 12-Day War was muted, it is unlikely this time.
“We need to prepare for shipping, oil facilities and military bases with western troops, including British, to be attacked.
“The Americans and Israelis are embarking on a war that they do not know how it will end, nor are their war aims clear.”
Israel and the U.S described today’s bombings as a “pre-emptive” strike against a Tehran government intent on developing nuclear weapons.
Following the strikes President Donald Trump urged members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to “lay down their arms or face certain death.”
The campaign launched against Iran and the counter strikes aimed at U.S and Israeli assets prompted several airlines to cancel flights to the region, including British Airways.
Almost immediately after the escalation in tensions across the Gulf the Foreign Office updated its travel advice to warn against all travel to Israel and Palestine.
British nationals in other Middle Eastern countries were urged to “immediately shelter in place.”
In a statement on its website, the FCDO said: “Due to the threat posed by escalation in the region, we recommend against all travel to Israel and Palestine.
Follow The Sun’s live blog for the latest updates on the US-Israeli attacks on Iran
“On February 28, 2026, the US and Israel commenced joint military action in Iran, Israeli airspace has now closed.”
A Government spokesperson said the UK did not want to see “further escalation into a wider regional conflict” and reiterated Britain’s support for a negotiated solution to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
The spokesperson continued: “Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution.
“Our immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region and we will provide them with consular assistance, available 24/7.”
The government’s emergency COBRA committee was convened a short time after the strikes with Keir Starmer at its head.
Britain previously evacuated its embassy staff from Iran as Trump primed his campaign after nuclear talks collapsed.
Crunch talks between the US and Iran broke down on last week, as the regime continued to dodge concessions on its nuclear aims.
Following the break down a terrifying array of U.S military assets were gathered in the region.
Sir Keir has condemned Iran’s attacks on neighbouring countries after Tehran retaliated following strikes by Israel and the US on Saturday morning.
A joint statement by French president Emmanuel Macron, German chancellor Friedrich Merz and Sir Keir also urged Iran to “seek a negotiated solution”.
The statement, posted on X by the German Embassy in London, said: “France, Germany and the United Kingdom have consistently urged the Iranian regime to end Iran’s nuclear programme, 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.
“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. We reiterate our commitment to regional stability and to the protection of civilian life.
“We condemn Iranian attacks on countries in the region in the strongest terms. 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.”
