UK not defending Israel against Iran's drone attack, government says
The UK was not involved in Israel's overnight attack on Iran and is not defending Israel against Iran's retaliatory drone attack.
Iran fired more than 100 drones towards Israel on Friday, hours after Israel bombed "dozens" of sites in the country, including its nuclear facilities, and killed senior military commanders and scientists.
The UK has previously helped defend Israel against Iranian attacks, including last October.
On Friday morning, however, multiple British news outlets reported that British airplanes did not help defend Israel.
But defence sources said the situation could change.
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Sarah Jones, the UK's industry minister, confirmed to Times Radio on Friday morning that Britain was not involved in the Israeli air strikes on Iran.
She said it was a "dangerous moment" and called for both sides to show restraint.
But Jones did not rule out British involvement in defending Israel if Iran fired ballistic missiles at the country.
She also declined to say that Britain would consider stopping selling arms to Israel.
Speaking to Good Morning Britain, Jones refused to say the strikes were "wrong".
Little appetite for UK involvement
Israel launched a major attack on Iran in the early hours of Friday, claiming it had taken the action because the Islamic Republic had begun to build nuclear warheads.
Iran says its nuclear programme is peaceful and denies seeking to acquire nuclear weapons.
Iranian media reported that explosions were reported in Natanz, the capital Tehran, and elsewhere; and that the head of the Revolutionary Guard, Hossein Salami, had been killed, as well as senior scientists working on its nuclear programme, Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi.
Abbasi was the head of the Atomic Energy Organisation from 2011 to 2013 and survived an assassination attempt in 2010. Tehranchi was a theoretical physicist. Both men appeared to have been targeted in their homes.
In October 2024 when Iran fired ballistic missiles at Israel, Britain said two UK fighter jets and an air-to-air refuelling tanker played a part in preventing escalation - but that the jets did not engage targets.
Now, however, the Labour government has little appetite for involvement in a conflict between Israel and Iran.
This is particularly the case since relations between Britain and Israel have become increasingly strained.
Just this week the UK sanctioned two Israeli ministers, Bezalal Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir. And the government has strongly opposed Israel's expanded military operation in Gaza, although it has not ceased all military cooperation with Israel.
It is nevertheless notable that the Labour government has not ruled out helping to protect Israel against future Iranian attacks.
If the situation escalates, Britain may well become embroiled in the conflict.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Friday morning: "The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. Escalation serves no one in the region.
"Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy.”
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: "Stability in the Middle East is vital for global security.
'Further escalation is a serious threat to peace and stability in the region and in no one’s interest'
- David Lammy, UK foreign secretary
"I’m concerned to see reports of strikes overnight. Further escalation is a serious threat to peace and stability in the region and in no one’s interest.
"This is a dangerous moment and I urge all parties to show restraint."
Meanwhile Kemi Badenoch, leader of the opposition Conservative party, said: "Iran must never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.
"Our immediate focus must be on stabilisation - working with allies to prevent further escalation.
"But let’s be clear-eyed about the reality. The world is becoming more dangerous, and Britain must be ready to defend itself."
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