British Government has confirmed it did not participate in the US-Israeli attacks on Iran, as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer convened the Government’s emergency Cobra committee for a meeting about the strikes.
US and Israeli forces attacked Iran on Saturday morning in what the two countries described as a ‘pre-emptive’ strike against a Tehran government intent on developing nuclear weapons.
The attack prompted retaliation from Iran, with missiles reported to have targeted Israel and countries across the Middle East.
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.
Following the strikes, the Foreign Office has warned against all travel to Israel, while embassies in Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE have advised British nationals to shelter in place.
The spokesperson added: ‘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 United States and Israel launched an attack Saturday on Iran, with the first apparent strike happening near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iranian media reported strikes nationwide, and smoke could be seen rising from the capital.
President Donald Trump said in a video posted on social media that the U.S. had begun ‘major combat operations in Iran.’
He claimed Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program and plans to develop missiles to reach U.S.
In a briefing with reporters, a military spokesman said Israel has identified ‘a sharp acceleration’ in Iran’s missile program.
Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani says Iran was beginning to make dozens of ballistic missiles a month. He also said there had been no significant hits in Israel. He spoke just before noon, roughly four hours after the operation began.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council confirmed its armed forces had ‘commenced a decisive response to these hostile acts.’
