The UK will continue to provide defensive support against Iranian threats, according to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. This comes after Tehran targeted the joint US-UK military base in the Chagos Islands, specifically the island of Diego Garcia.
Cooper stated that supporting UK interests includes taking defensive action against ballistic missile threats. She also acknowledged Iran's escalating threats to international shipping and its threats to Gulf partners, reiterating the UK's desire for a swift end to the conflict.
The Wall Street Journal and CNN reported that two ballistic missiles were fired at Diego Garcia, citing unnamed US officials. However, neither missile reached its target, with one reportedly failing in flight and the other intercepted by a US warship.
Background on the Conflict
The UK has agreed to let the US use British military bases to hit Iranian sites targeting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The US military has declined to comment on the incident, while the UK government has limited the use of its airbases to strikes on sites targeting UK interests and allies in the region.
Sir Keir Starmer, speaking to the Cypriot president, reiterated that RAF Akrotiri would not be one of the bases used by the US to target Iranian missile sites. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the UK's participation is putting British lives in danger and that Iran would exercise its right to self-defence.
Government Response
Cooper emphasized that the UK will not be drawn into a wider conflict, prioritizing a swift resolution to support regional stability. The government has announced support to help offset the rise in the price of heating oil and plans to mitigate the impact of the war on the cost of living.
The UK government has also agreed to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and lease back the base on Diego Garcia. The Chagos Islands have been under British control since 1814, and the UK government has previously paid Mauritius a £3m grant in compensation.
