Britain ‘stands ready 24/7 to defend itself’, the Government has said, after Iran threatened to strike a Royal Air Force base used by the US.
In a statement yesterday, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) accused the Government of ‘complicity in the crime of aggression and war crimes’ by allowing the US to carry out ‘unlawful attacks’.
While the Government has refused to take part in offensive campaigns against Iran, it has allowed the US to launch defensive strikes from British bases hosting American personnel.
US President Donald Trump has carried out 13 consecutive nights of strikes against targets in Iran, indicating potential further escalation.
Andy Burnham, the new Prime Minister, has maintained Sir Keir Starmer’s agreement to allow the US to use British bases, including RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
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In a statement, the MFA said that anyone who supports ‘military aggression against Iran will bear responsibility for the consequences and repercussions of its decision’.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said: ‘Our armed forces are ready to keep the United Kingdom safe from any kind of attacks, whether it’s on our soil or from abroad.
‘The UK stands ready 24/7 to defend itself.
‘This includes through operating a layered approach to air and missile defence, provided by Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force assets equipped with a range of advanced capabilities, working closely with our Nato allies.
‘The UK’s approach to the conflict remains the same – we are committed to defending our people, our interests and our allies, acting in accordance with international law and not getting drawn into the wider conflict.’
Iran’s comments also come after the Government moved to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a threat to national security.
Those carrying out acts of sabotage on behalf of the group will face life imprisonment.
It follows a series of arson attacks in London earlier this year and a double stabbing in Golders Green.
US Central Command said the 13th night of strikes on Iran, which began late on Thursday, were designed to ‘further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional waters’ as the two countries wrestle for control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Explosions were heard in Bandar Abbas and Qesham on the coast, according to Iranian state media, as well as further north in Andimeshk and Omidiyeh.
Announcing the end of the latest strikes, US Central Command said Iranian military command centres, drone storage facilities, communication networks, coastal surveillance sites and maritime capabilities had been targeted.
Their statement said the Strait of Hormuz ‘remains open for transit despite recent attacks from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’.
Mr Trump on Thursday said he would ‘hold Iran responsible’ for attacks on shipping by the Houthis in Yemen and the US would seize Iranian assets to cover the cost of damaged ships.
Iran’s foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi described such an act as ‘incendiary’.
He said on social media on Friday: ‘Those who celebrate or profit from such funds should remember: once governments normalize confiscation, no one’s assets are safe.
‘Ensuing chaos will not be pretty or peaceful.’
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