Report: UK not planning to help protect Israel as Iran retaliates for strikes on nuclear, military targets

Britain does not plan to help protect Israel as Iran retaliates against overnight Israeli strikes, the defense editor of the Times newspaper says on X, without citing sources.

“UK defense sources say there aren’t any UK plans to help protect Israel. Clearly this could change throughout the course of the day,” writes Larisa Brown.

In October 2024, when Iran fired a salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel, Britain said two of its fighter jets and an air-to-air refueling tanker played a part in attempts to prevent further escalation, but that the jets did not engage any targets.

Britain was not involved in Israel’s strikes against Iranian nuclear and military targets overnight and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged both sides to use restraint and return to diplomacy.

Britain’s foreign office and Defense Ministry do not immediately respond to a request for comment on any potential British involvement in protecting Israel. There is no comment from the British embassy in Israel.