Iran is threatening the UK, US and France amid an ongoing conflict with Israel.
Iran has issued a warning to the UK, France and US amid its ongoing conflict with Israel. Tehran said it will hit ships and bases from all three countries if they get involved. Iran’s state-run Fars news agency reports that an unnamed official vowed the strikes on Israel “will continue” and Iran will target US bases in the area.
Tehran launched waves of strikes against Israel overnight. Tel Aviv hit back, firing at dozens of targets in Iran, including air defence positions. At least three people were killed in Israel and dozens wounded. Israel‘s Operation Rising Lion – the offensive against Tehran – has mainly targeted nuclear sites, including the partial destruction of Iran’s main Natanz nuclear base.
Iran’s threat to strike countries helping Israel counter Tehran comes as western leaders call for a de-escalation. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz have all called for calm.
US President Donald Trump urged Iran on Friday to reach a deal with the US on its nuclear program, warning on his Truth Social platform that Israel’s attacks “will only get worse”.
The US operates bases in Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. It also maintains a military presence in countries including Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Oman. Britain’s armed forces are involved in three major military operations in the Middle East. Operation Kipion is a long-standing maritime security mission in the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean.
The UK has also contributed to a global campaign against Daesh in Iraq and Syria since 2014. British forces are part of a US-led coalition supporting freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Iran and Israel have continued their attacks (Image: Getty)
The Royal Air Force maintains a base on Cyprus while its operational headquarters in the Middle East is at Al Udeid air base in Qatar. The RAF also uses Al Minhad airbase in the United Arab Emirates and Al Musannah airbase in Oman.
Britain’s Royal Navy has a key facility in Bahrain, with four anti-mine vessels and a Type 23 frigate permanently based there. There is another base at Duqm in Oman.
After Israel‘s attacks on Friday, Tehran vowed to retaliate against not just Israel but also the US as the “primary patron” of the Jewish state.
The New York Times reported that the US would be sending extra fighter jets to the Middle East, signalling the White House expects the conflict to continue to escalate.
Britain said on Friday that it was not involved in Israel‘s attack, which killed two nuclear scientists and three senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders.
It is understood the UK is not currently planning to participate in the defence of Israel, but the report from Fars news agency would suggest British bases in the Middle East are considered legitimate targets by Iran.
Britain has previously targeted Iranian proxies in the region, including in joint US-UK attacks on the Houthis in Yemen. Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed in October last year that Britain’s armed forces helped shoot down Iranian missiles fired at Israel.
After Friday’s attacks, Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy spoke to Iran’s foreign minister and urged calm, later warning the Middle East faces a “moment of grave peril”.
Both London and Washington have insisted they were not involved in the Israeli strikes and Israel acted unilaterally.
The first time Tel Aviv discussed the strikes with London was midday on Friday, according to Tzipi Hotovely, Israel‘s ambassador to the UK.