The British government has confirmed it played no role
in the recent US-Israeli military strikes on Iran, as Prime Minister Keir
Starmer convened an emergency meeting of the Cobra committee to assess the
unfolding crisis.
American and Israeli forces carried out coordinated
attacks on Saturday morning, describing the action as a “pre-emptive” strike
against Iran over concerns about its nuclear weapons ambitions. The operation
reportedly triggered retaliatory missile launches from Iran targeting Israel
and other locations across the Middle East.
A UK government spokesperson stressed that Britain
does not want to see “further escalation into a wider regional conflict” and
reiterated its backing for a diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear programme.
Following the strikes, the Foreign Office issued a
warning against all travel to Israel. British embassies in Bahrain, Qatar, and
the United Arab Emirates have also advised UK nationals in those countries to
remain indoors and follow local safety guidance.
The spokesperson added that Iran must never be allowed
to develop a nuclear weapon, emphasising that the UK has consistently supported
negotiations aimed at preventing that outcome. The government said its
immediate priority is ensuring the safety of British nationals in the region,
with consular assistance available around the clock.
Meanwhile, the United States and Israel confirmed the
launch of the operation, with early strikes reportedly occurring near offices
linked to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Iranian media reported
explosions in several parts of the country, with smoke seen rising over the
capital.
US President Donald Trump announced in a video message
that American forces had begun “major combat operations in Iran,” accusing
Tehran of advancing its nuclear programme and developing missiles capable of
reaching the United States.
An Israeli military spokesperson, Lt. Col. Nadav
Shoshani, told reporters that Israel had observed a “sharp acceleration” in
Iran’s missile production, alleging that Tehran was manufacturing dozens of
ballistic missiles monthly. He added that there had been no significant strikes
on Israeli territory at the time of the briefing.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council later
confirmed that its armed forces had begun what it described as a “decisive
response” to the attacks, signaling a potentially dangerous escalation in the
conflict.
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