28 February 2026 15:06 UTC · UK Government · GOV.UK Speech · Source · Email X Link

UK Government states response to Iran strikes and regional escalation

Key points

The United Kingdom played no role in these strikes.
I condemn Iran’s attacks today on partners across the region.

TL;DR

United States and Israel struck targets in Iran; the United Kingdom played no role in these strikes.
British forces are active in the region; British planes are conducting coordinated regional defensive operations to protect people, interests, and allies.
UK condemns Iran’s attacks, has stepped up protections for bases and personnel, and urges de-escalation and a return to a diplomatic process; Iran should refrain from further strikes and give up their weapons programmes.

Original text

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 while 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 destabilise the region. Even in the United Kingdom, the Iranian regime poses a direct threat to dissidents and the Jewish community. Over the last year alone, they have backed more than 20 potentially lethal attacks on UK soil. So it’s 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 taken steps to strengthen. 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 have been speaking with leaders today - from the E3, and across the region. It is vital now 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 programmes, and cease the appalling violence and repression against the Iranian people – who deserve the right to determine their own future, in line with our longstanding position. That is the route to de-escalation and back to the negotiating table.

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