UK Says Not to Exclude Future Iran Strikes

(MENAFN) Britain's Defence Secretary John Healey refused Sunday to exclude the possibility of offensive military action against Iran, even as he insisted the United Kingdom remains firmly committed to a defensive posture amid a rapidly deteriorating crisis across the Middle East.

Addressing media, Healey confirmed that Royal Air Force jets are actively patrolling the region in a protective role, tasked with intercepting hostile projectiles threatening allied nations.

"They will shoot down missiles or drones heading towards UK allies, such as Qatar and Cyprus," he said.

Healey revealed that approximately 300 British military personnel were stationed near a base in Bahrain at the time of Saturday's Iranian strike — with some dangerously close to the point of impact.

He said he was concerned that the "increasingly indiscriminate attacks from Iran widely across the Middle East are putting British personnel and British people at risk."

The Defence Secretary further disclosed that two missiles had been launched toward the Greek Cypriot Administration, underscoring the broadening scope of Iranian aggression.

"It demonstrates how our bases, our personnel, military and civilians at the moment are at risk with a regime that is increasingly indiscriminate, widespread and uncontrolled in the attacks it's mounting," he said.

When pressed on whether London could pivot from a defensive to an offensive posture, Healey carefully delineated Britain's current role while stopping short of closing the door on future escalation.

"Well, we've been no part of the strikes. We are concentrating the efforts that we are making on defensive actions. We've done that from the start, and moved in extra radars, planes and other weapon systems to Cyprus and to Qatar. We're flying, as we speak, over this weekend as part of that regional coordination. And all our actions are about defending UK interests and defending UK allies," he said.

Pushed directly on whether Britain might join allied offensive operations against Iran, Healey declined to be drawn into speculation.

"I'm not going to speculate, and you wouldn't expect me to on a hypothetical situation or potential discussions and operations," he said.

He nonetheless stressed that any action taken would remain legally grounded and strategically disciplined.

"It will always be the case that the action we take and the action we're taking at the moment is within the established rules of engagement, will remain to defend our interests in the collective interest of other allies, and it will be within international law," he noted.

Healey closed with a stark assessment of the regional outlook, warning of a "really serious and deteriorating situation," driven by the "rising risks of increasing Iranian indiscriminate, retaliatory attacks."

The remarks came as Tehran confirmed Sunday the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei alongside several senior officials — a seismic development following Saturday's joint US-Israel strike on Iran, which triggered a wave of retaliatory Iranian missile and drone attacks across the region.

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