Arabic version: ستارمر يرأس اجتماع طارئ حول الضربات الأمريكية والإسرائيلية في إيران

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had chaired a Cobra meeting about the US and Israeli air strikes on Iran. Explosions have been heard across five Iranian cities including the capital, Tehran, on Saturday, after negotiations to limit Iran’s nuclear programme ended without an agreement this week. The UK did not participate in the strikes. A government spokesperson said it would protect British interests in the region, adding: “We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict.” According to BBC News, the immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the area.

British nationals in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE have been told by the UK Foreign Office to immediately shelter in place following reports of missile attacks, while those in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Oman have been told to “remain vigilant” and take shelter if advised to do so. Following the strikes on Iran early on Saturday morning, explosions and air raid sirens have already been heard in Qatar’s capital, Doha, which is host to a US military facility. Qatar’s defence ministry said it had intercepted Iranian missiles.

Former President Donald Trump has described the strikes as the start of “major combat operations” and called for Iranian government forces to lay down their arms. In response, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council promised a “crushing” response to the US-Israeli attacks. Many major airlines that serve the Middle East have diverted or cancelled flights over safety concerns.

British Airways has cancelled services to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until Wednesday, while Virgin Atlantic and Wizz Air also suspended flights to affected regions. Heathrow Airport has urged travellers to check with their airlines for updates amidst the ongoing crisis.