Starmer urges de-escalation while refusing to rule out British military support for Israel
The United Kingdom is ramping up its military presence in the Middle East amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed. Additional Royal Air Force (RAF) jets, including Typhoon fighters and air-to-air refuelling aircraft, are being deployed to the region as part of what Downing Street is calling “contingency support.”
The move follows renewed violence in the region over the weekend, with Iran launching missile strikes on Israeli targets and the Israeli Defence Forces responding with continued military action inside Iran. British officials say the deployments are intended as a precautionary measure to protect UK personnel and assets in the region, rather than as part of direct military action.
Speaking to reporters en route to the G7 summit in Canada, Starmer said: “We’ve already been moving assets to the region, including jets, and that is for contingency support across the region. Our constant message is de-escalate.”
The UK’s latest deployment follows a similar action last year, when RAF aircraft were quietly stationed in the region to deter escalation after clashes between Israel and Iranian-backed militias. This time, however, the threat of direct confrontation between Israel and Iran has led to open expressions of concern in Westminster and among Britain’s allies.
Additional Royal Air Force (RAF) jets, including Typhoon fighters and air-to-air refuelling aircraft, are being deployed to the region as part of what Downing Street is calling “contingency support.”
Starmer has remained deliberately vague about whether British forces could become directly involved in defending Israel, as they did during missile interception efforts in October and April last year. “I had a good and constructive discussion with Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu yesterday, and that included discussions about the safety and security of Israel,” the prime minister said.
While reiterating the UK’s support for Israel’s right to self-defence, Starmer also stressed Britain’s long-standing concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. “Everything we’re doing, all the discussions we’re having, are to do with de-escalation,” he said.
On the domestic front, Chancellor Rachel Reeves defended the deployment on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, saying it would be “a dereliction of duty” not to take steps to protect UK interests. She declined to specify the precise location of the deployed jets, citing operational security, but confirmed it was part of a fast-moving response to rising instability.
“We’ve never been involved in attacking with Israel,” Reeves said, distinguishing between defensive support and direct combat operations. “The thing that we have done in the past is defend Israel from attacks.”
Reeves also urged British nationals currently in the Middle East to heed official travel guidance, noting that conditions on the ground could change rapidly. The Foreign Office has now advised against all travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, citing “a fast-moving situation that poses significant risks.”
Iran, meanwhile, has warned that British, French and American bases and ships in the region could be considered “legitimate targets” if they are seen to be aiding Israel militarily. Tehran has already suffered significant casualties in recent days, with Iranian state television reporting 60 deaths following Israeli strikes in the capital. Israel, in turn, has reported at least three fatalities and dozens of injuries from Iranian missile attacks.
Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning over the weekend, vowing that “Tehran will burn” if attacks continue. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has responded in kind, threatening a “more severe” response should Israel refuse to de-escalate.
The situation has also impacted diplomatic efforts. Oman, which has acted as an intermediary in nuclear negotiations, said that planned talks between Washington and Tehran on Iran’s nuclear programme had been abruptly cancelled.
Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride, appearing alongside Reeves on Sunday, voiced cross-party support for the UK’s increased military posture, stating: “We’ve got assets out there – they need to be protected given Iran has suggested they might be under threat.” On the broader question of Israeli military actions, Stride added: “We can’t allow Iran to become a nuclear power.”
On Saturday, Starmer also spoke by phone with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. A Downing Street spokesperson said the two leaders discussed “the gravely concerning situation in the Middle East” and “agreed on the need to de-escalate.”
As world leaders gather in Alberta for the G7 summit, including US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the Middle East conflict has quickly become the dominant issue. Starmer is expected to push for a coordinated Western strategy focused on preventing full-scale war in the region, while maintaining firm opposition to Iran’s nuclear programme.
With tensions still high and diplomatic channels fraying, the UK’s military buildup serves as both a signal of deterrence and a hedge against further escalation in one of the world’s most volatile flashpoints.
