The UK has distanced itself from Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iran, saying it did not provide any form of military assistance during the overnight attack that heightened already fragile tensions across the Middle East.
According to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson, the United Kingdom “did not participate in Israel’s strikes overnight” and the Royal Air Force (RAF) did not engage in downing Iranian drones as part of Israel’s defence in this round of escalations.
The United States similarly denied involvement, describing the Israeli strike as a “unilateral” action and cautioning Tehran and its allies against targeting U.S. personnel or interests in the region.
In contrast, the UK had played a direct role during Iran’s drone and missile attacks in April 2024 when RAF Typhoons intercepted threats aimed at Israel. A limited involvement was also recorded in October 2024 during another ballistic missile launch from Tehran.
The UK’s current position comes amid increasingly strained relations between London and Tel Aviv. British ministers have criticised Israel’s continuing blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza and recently imposed sanctions on two senior Israeli officials.
“The reports of these strikes are concerning, and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. Escalation serves no one in the region. Stability in the Middle East must be the priority, and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time for restraint, calm, and a return to diplomacy.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Tensions Rise As Drones Fill The Skies
Industry Minister Sarah Jones also addressed the crisis, saying the UK is “doing everything we can to urge restraint and to try and de-escalate the situation.”
The Israeli military stated on Friday that the airstrikes were justified by Iran’s alleged move toward developing nuclear warheads. Meanwhile, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowed “severe punishment”, as over 100 Iranian drones were reportedly launched toward Israel in retaliation.
British officials convened on Friday to determine the nation’s course of action. Early reports suggested the UK opted not to intercept the drones or join military efforts, though later updates indicated the situation remained fluid.
Previous UK interventions had been justified as part of a multilateral defence support mission, mainly led by the U.S. and Jordan. In April 2024, the Pentagon confirmed it had downed 70 Iranian drones during one of the largest attacks in the region.
However, tensions have increased between Britain and Israel, largely due to the latter’s aggressive operations in the Gaza Strip. British leaders have condemned Israeli military actions that resulted in the deaths of dozens of Palestinians seeking humanitarian aid.
European leaders have also responded with alarm. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the Israeli strikes as “deeply alarming” and emphasised that a diplomatic solution was “more urgent than ever”.
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged to use “all available diplomatic means” to prevent further escalation, asserting that “Iran must not develop any nuclear weapons.” French President Emmanuel Macron echoed the concern, affirming that France “reaffirms Israel’s right to defend itself and ensure its security” while stressing the importance of restraint.
The three leaders — Macron, Merz, and Starmer — spoke via telephone on Friday and agreed to maintain “close contact” moving forward.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he had spoken to his Israeli counterpart, urging restraint, and planned to convey a similar message to Iran’s foreign minister. “I will insist on support for diplomacy,” Tajani affirmed.
But not all leaders minced their words. Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “dragging the world towards an escalation of war.” She called for “respect for international law, immediate sanctions against the Israeli regime and a multilateral route toward a just and lasting peace.”
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan added his voice, condemning the Israeli action as a “clear provocation” and claiming that “Netanyahu and his massacre network” were “setting our entire region and the world on fire.”
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