UK won’t join air strikes on Iran – Starmer

2026-03-02 - 18:07

By Favour Ulebor Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has said the United Kingdom will not join offensive strikes on Iran, insisting the country does not believe in “regime change from the skies.” Speaking in the House of Commons, Starmer said the UK had learned the lessons from Iraq and any action must have a lawful basis and a clear plan. “We all remember the mistakes of Iraq, and we have learned those lessons. Any UK actions must always have a lawful basis, and a viable thought-through plan,” he said. Starmer defended the UK’s decision to allow planes and bases to be used for defensive purposes, saying it was the best way to protect British interests and British lives. He noted that an Iranian drone heading for a coalition base in Iraq was intercepted by the RAF, and another drone targeted RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. “The basis for our decision is the collective self-defence of longstanding friends and allies and protecting British lives. It is in accordance with international law,” Starmer said. The defence secretary, John Healey, added that the damage at RAF Akrotiri was minimal, but families living on the base were being moved to temporary accommodation. The UK did not allow US forces to use Diego Garcia or any UK airbases for offensive strikes. Starmer said the UK’s priority remained a negotiated settlement with Iran to end nuclear ambitions and destabilising activity. “President Trump has expressed his disagreement with our decision not to get involved in the initial strikes, but it is my duty to judge what is in Britain’s national interest; that is what I’ve done, and I stand by it,” he said. He warned that British citizens in the Gulf were at risk, noting about 300,000 were in the region. “Iran has hit airports and hotels where British citizens are staying. It is deeply concerning for the whole house and the whole country,” Starmer said. To reduce risks, the UK has allowed US forces to target Iranian missiles at storage or launch sites to prevent attacks on civilians and British lives. Rapid deployment teams are being sent to the UAE and other Gulf countries to assist citizens stranded by closed airspace.