Rishi Sunak confirmed that Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoons took down several Iranian drones overnight. The UK’s involvement in this operation was highlighted as crucial in safeguarding lives in Israel and nearby Arab nations.
Although the Prime Minister didn’t specify the exact number of drones shot down, it’s presumed that the UK’s involvement was notably less than the 70 drones claimed by the US and the numerous drones reportedly taken down by Jordan within its airspace.
“I can confirm that a number of Iranian attack drones were shot down and we pay tribute to the bravery and the professionalism of our pilots flying into the face of danger to protect civilians.”
Rishi Sunak
In 2020, Britain signed a military cooperation agreement with Israel, the details of which remain undisclosed. A year later, a defense and trade pact was also signed between the two nations.
However, it’s believed that these agreements do not obligate the UK to intervene in defense of Israel if it were to face an attack from another country.
Sunak described Britain’s participation as “saving lives not just in Israel but in neighboring countries like Jordan as well”, and he suggested it was an extension of the air campaign against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
Constitutionally, the Prime Minister holds the authority to initiate war or order military actions without parliamentary approval, utilizing powers historically reserved for the monarch but now delegated to ministers.
In 2011, during the Conservative-led coalition, it was stated that a convention had emerged wherein Members of Parliament would have the opportunity to discuss the deployment of military forces beforehand, except in emergencies.
Conservatives Push for IRGC Terror Designation
There’s mounting pressure from Conservative MPs for ministers to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) as a terrorist group.
“I have argued for a long time that they should already be proscribed because of their actions inside and outside Iran.”
“Recent events have merely confirmed what many of us believe – that they are the toxic core of a thuggish regime. We might also ask why Iran Air is still operating daily from Heathrow and why Iranian banks still function in the City.”
Liam Fox, the former Tory Defense Secretary
Bob Blackman, the Tory MP for Harrow East, said, “Iran has declared war on Israel and Israel is our ally. We should proscribe the IRGC, sequester their assets in the UK, and close the Iranian embassy in London.”
The Shadow Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, renewed the Labour Party’s call for the IRGC to be proscribed and called for “the Government to come forward with new plans” to make it happen.
The Foreign Office has resisted the move as to do so with a state body is likely to sever diplomatic relations with Tehran and prevent direct engagement.
“We believe that the police or security services and the courts here in the UK have the powers that they need to target those people who are causing the most concern and indeed, we have sanctioned 400 individuals and entities from Iran here in the UK.”
“But secondly, there is a point of the value of being able to have a direct conversation with the Iranian authorities, in the way that has already happened.”
Victoria Atkins, the Health Secretary
Preparations for potential UK involvement in the event of an Iranian attack unfolded over several days last week. This included the relocation of Typhoons and Voyager refueling aircraft to the Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus to ensure necessary support.
Rishi Sunak disclosed that he had endorsed a “plan of action” on Friday during a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee, which likely involved senior ministers and officials.
Additionally, RAF Typhoons provided cover for scheduled US Air Force missions over Iraq and Syria, granting the Americans more flexibility in aiding Israel’s military, according to defense sources.
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