Multiple bases of the United Kingdom (UK) were attacked by Iran using missiles in Cyprus on Sunday, said British Defence Secretary John Healey, as tensions escalate in the Middle East following joint strikes by the United States (US) and Israel that killed Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top leadership on Saturday.
According Healey, thousands of British troops are stationed at multiple bases in Cyprus. However, he said it is not clear whether the missiles were fired deliberately by Iran or not.
The UK is key ally of the US in the region, but had played no role during Saturday's strikes, confirmed British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. However, he said that the regime led by Khamenei was "utterly abhorrent" and has murdered thousands of their people by crushing dissent. He also alleged that Iran was responsible for destabilising the entire region.
According to Starmer, Iran poses a direct threat to the UK and its Jewish people. Thus, Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, said the British prime minister on Saturday, while condemning Tehran's attack on US bases in the Middle East.
"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 - as Britain has done before, in line with international law," he said. "We’ve stepped up protections for British bases and personnel to their highest level. We are also reaching out to UK nationals in the region and doing everything we can to support them."
Iran, however, has remained firmed and warned that it would continue targeting US bases in the region in response to Khamenei's killing. Although, it has mentioned that Tehran wants peace in the region and that is why it is targeting only US bases in the region.
Iran, however, has found little support from Gulf nations, who have called for an immediate de-escalation. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has warned Iran, saying it should avoid escalating the situation, as he called Iranians to push for a regime change in the country.
