The United Kingdom has confirmed it was not involved in the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened an emergency meeting of the government’s Cobra committee to assess the situation.
American and Israeli forces carried out attacks early Saturday, describing them as “pre-emptive” measures aimed at halting what they claim is Tehran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons. Iran responded with missile launches reportedly targeting Israel and locations across the Middle East.
A UK government spokesperson said Britain does not want to see “further escalation into a wider regional conflict” and reaffirmed support for a negotiated resolution to concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme.
In response to the unfolding crisis, the Foreign Office advised against all travel to Israel. British embassies in Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates have also urged UK nationals to shelter in place.
“Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, and that is why we have consistently supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution,” the spokesperson said. “Our immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region, and we will provide consular assistance around the clock.”
The United States and Israel launched the strikes on Saturday, with one of the initial reported targets near offices associated with Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Iranian media reported explosions in multiple locations, with smoke seen rising over the capital.
In a video posted online, US President Donald Trump announced that the United States had begun “major combat operations in Iran,” alleging that Tehran continued to expand its nuclear programme and develop long-range missile capabilities.
An Israeli military spokesperson, Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, told reporters that Israel had detected what he described as a “sharp acceleration” in Iran’s missile production, claiming the country was beginning to manufacture dozens of ballistic missiles each month. He said there had been no significant impacts reported in Israel at the time of the briefing.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council later confirmed that its armed forces had “commenced a decisive response” to what it called hostile actions.
