United Kingdom involvement in the 2026 Iran war

Since the beginning of the 2026 Iran war on 28 February, when the United States and Israel conducted joint airstrikes across Iran, the United Kingdom has shot down Iranian drones and missiles over allied countries in the Middle East, including Qatar, Iraq, and Jordan. After a drone struck a British military base on Cyprus, the UK deployed further military assets to the island and began relocating the HMS Dragon destroyer to the Eastern Mediterranean. As the conflict spread throughout the region, the UK announced efforts to evacuate its 300,000 citizens in the region.

Ahead of the initial US–Israeli strikes, UK prime minister Keir Starmer denied a request from US president Donald Trump to use British military bases. On 1 March, Starmer granted a US request to use UK bases for "defensive" strikes on Iranian capabilities; however, his initial refusal created a rift with Trump. The UK was also criticised by Cypriot officials for failing to warn or prevent the drone attack. Domestic opposition parties criticised Starmer. The leaders of the Conservative Party and Reform UK called Starmer indecisive and insufficiently supportive of the United States, while the Liberal Democrats' leader warned against further involvement in the region, and the Green Party leader called for an end of UK support for Israel.

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