LONDON, Saturday, February 28, 2026 (WNP): British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday said the United Kingdom played no role in US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets earlier in the day, while confirming that British forces were engaged in coordinated defensive operations across the Middle East following retaliatory attacks by Iran.

In a national statement, Starmer said the situation was evolving rapidly and acknowledged deep concern among British citizens about regional security and the safety of civilians.

“Earlier this morning, the United States and Israel struck targets in Iran. Iran has since launched indiscriminate strikes across the region,” he said.

Starmer stressed that the UK had not participated in the initial strikes. However, he reiterated Britain’s longstanding position that Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, calling it the primary objective shared by the UK and its allies, including the United States.

The prime minister described the Iranian regime as a destabilizing force in the region, accusing it of internal repression and external aggression. He said Iran had posed a direct threat to dissidents and the Jewish community in the UK, adding that over the past year Tehran had backed more than 20 potentially lethal plots on British soil.

He condemned Iran’s latest attacks on regional partners, including states not directly involved in the conflict, and expressed solidarity with affected countries.

As part of Britain’s commitments to Middle Eastern allies, Starmer confirmed that UK defensive capabilities in the region had been strengthened. “Our forces are active and British planes are in the sky today as part of coordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests and our allies,” he said, adding that all actions were being conducted in line with international law.

Security measures at British bases and for military personnel have been raised to their highest level, he said. The government is also contacting UK nationals in the region and providing support where necessary.

Starmer said he had spoken with leaders from the E3 group — the United Kingdom, France and Germany — as well as regional counterparts, underscoring the need to prevent further escalation.

“It is vital now that we prevent further escalation and return to a diplomatic process,” he said. “We want to see peace and security, and the protection of civilian life.”

The prime minister called on Iran to refrain from further strikes, abandon its weapons programmes and end internal repression, stating that de-escalation and renewed negotiations were the only path forward.