Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed the UK has been engaged in defensive operations in the Middle East, including intercepting Iranian drones. These actions come amid retaliatory actions by Iran, following strikes that reportedly killed its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. British planes have been active in the region as part of a defensive posture to protect UK personnel and allies. Healey stated the UK is "taking down the drones that are menacing either our bases, our people or our allies," bolstering defensive forces and conducting sorties.
A counter-drone unit reportedly engaged a drone threatening a coalition base in Iraq housing British troops. Additional British warplanes, radars, and weapon systems have been deployed to Qatar and Cyprus to support regional coordination. Healey noted that 300 British personnel were on a base in Bahrain targeted by Iranian missiles and drones. The UK insists its actions are purely defensive, aimed at protecting British interests and allies, and not part of offensive strikes by the US and Israel.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has discussed the situation with President Donald Trump, emphasizing the UK's participation in coordinated regional defensive operations. Healey warned of rising risks from "increasing Iranian indiscriminate retaliatory attacks."
