“That is the British authorities. Defending British pursuits and British lives,” he stated
British prime minister Keir Starmer delivers a press release after the U.S. and Israel Assault Iran (Picture: WPA Pool, Getty Photos)
Sir Keir Starmer has disclosed that the UK has permitted the US to utilise British bases for concentrating on missile websites and silos in Iran for a “particular and restricted defensive objective”.
In a video assertion posted on social media on Sunday night, the Prime Minister clarified the UK was not taking part in offensive strikes towards Tehran.
Right here is Sir Keir’s assertion in full:.
“Yesterday, I spoke to you concerning the state of affairs within the Gulf and defined that the UK was not concerned within the strikes on Iran. That is still the case.
“During the last two days Iran has launched sustained assaults throughout the area at international locations who didn’t assault them.
“They’ve hit airports and resorts the place British residents are staying. That is clearly a harmful state of affairs”.
“We’ve got a minimum of 200,000 British residents within the area – residents, households on vacation, and people in transit.
Keir Starmer, UK prime minister, arrives to ship a press release following the US, Israel assault on Iran, at 10 Downing Road in London, UK, on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. The army marketing campaign could possibly be a defining second for US President Donald Trump, risking a drawn-out regional battle that results in a surge in power costs and American casualties forward of midterm elections this 12 months. Photographer: Andy Rain/EPA/Bloomberg by way of Getty Photos (Picture: Bloomberg, Bloomberg by way of Getty Photos)
“I ask all our folks within the area to please register your presence and observe Overseas Workplace journey recommendation.
“I do know this can be a deeply worrying time. And we’ll proceed to do all we will to help you.
“Our Armed Forces, who’re positioned throughout the area, are additionally being put in danger by Iran’s actions.
“Yesterday Iran hit a army base in Bahrain, narrowly lacking British personnel.
“The demise of the Supreme Chief won’t cease Iran from launching these strikes. Their strategy is changing into much more reckless – and extra harmful to civilians.
“Our resolution that the UK wouldn’t be concerned with the strikes on Iran was deliberate, not least as a result of we imagine that one of the simplest ways ahead for the area and the world is a negotiated settlement, one through which Iran agrees to surrender any aspirations to develop a nuclear weapon.
“However Iran is placing British pursuits nonetheless and placing British folks at big danger, together with our allies throughout the area. That is the state of affairs we face at this time.
“Our companions within the Gulf have requested us to do extra to defend them and it is my responsibility to guard British lives.
“We’ve got British jets within the air as a part of coordinated defensive operations which have already efficiently intercepted Iranian strikes.
“However the one approach to cease the menace is to destroy the missiles at supply – of their storage depots or the launchers that are used to fireplace the missiles.
“The US has requested permission to make use of British bases for that particular and restricted defensive objective.
“We’ve got taken the choice to just accept this request to stop Iran firing missiles throughout the area, killing harmless civilians, placing British lives in danger and hitting international locations that haven’t been concerned.
“The idea of our resolution is the collective self-defence of longstanding pals and allies, and defending British lives.
“That is in keeping with worldwide regulation and we’re publishing a abstract of our authorized recommendation.
“We aren’t becoming a member of these strikes however will proceed with our defensive actions within the area.
“And we will even convey consultants from Ukraine along with our personal counter drone experience to assist our Gulf companions shoot down Iranian drones attacking them.
“I need to be very clear: All of us bear in mind the errors of Iraq. And we’ve discovered these classes.
“We weren’t concerned within the preliminary strikes on Iran. And we won’t be part of offensive motion now.
“However Iran is pursuing a scorched earth technique. So we’re supporting the collective self-defence of our allies and our folks within the area. As a result of that’s our responsibility to the British folks.
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“It’s one of the simplest ways to remove the pressing menace. And forestall the state of affairs spiralling additional.
“That is the British authorities. Defending British pursuits and British lives.”
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