Starmer deploys jets to Middle East after Iran threats

Britain is sending additional RAF aircraft to the Middle East to provide “contingency support” as tensions rise in the region.

Prime minister Keir Starmer said further military assets, including fast jets and refuelling aircraft, were being deployed amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran.

The reinforcements follow threats from Iran to target UK, French and US bases if the countries help to stop strikes on Israel. The UK already has RAF jets in the region and MoD sources stressed that the deployment was reinforcing existing positions and should not be seen as “escalatory”.

Speaking on the way to the G7 summit in Canada, the prime minister said: “These are obviously operational decisions and the situation is ongoing and developing and therefore I’m not going to get into the precise details, but we are moving assets to the region, including jets and that is for contingency support.”

Starmer reiterated the need to “de-escalate” the conflict between Israel and Iran and urged both sides to look for a diplomatic solution.

Yesterday he spoke to Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia to discuss the “gravely concerning” situation in the Middle East.

David Lammy, the foreign secretary, also spoke to his Israeli counterpart to urge restraint. On Friday he issued the same message to the Iranians, describing this as a “moment of grave peril” for the region.

Iranian state media reported Tehran had warned the US, the UK and France not to help Israel stop Iran’s response. The UK government said: “We will always take robust action to defend our forces in the region if it is ever required. Iran must seek de-escalation through diplomacy and talks.”

Photograph by Ziv Koren/Polaris/eyevine