Sir Keir Starmer has defended the decision not to join in the US-Israeli strikes on Iran at the weekend, after Donald Trump said he was “very disappointed”.
“President Trump has expressed his disagreement with our decision not to get involved in the initial strikes, but it is my duty to judge what is in Britain’s national interest. That is what I’ve done, and I stand by it,” he said.
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, the US president said Starmer “took far too long” to change his mind to allow them to use bases such as the Chagos Islands to conduct strikes.
He said: “That’s probably never happened between our countries before.
“It sounds like he was worried about the legality.”
Other MPs have called on Starmer to fully support Trump’s action against Iran, after an attack on a Royal Air Force airfield in Cyprus where an “unmanned drone” hit the runway at RAF Akrotiri.
Around 300,000 Britons are believed to be in countries targeted by Iran, with 102,000 registered with the Foreign Office for updates as officials examine all options, including a potential mass evacuation.
Key Points
- Trump says US was 'very disappointed' in Starmer
- UK is not at war with Iran after RAF base hit by drone, minister says
- Kemi Badenoch increases pressure on Starmer to fully enter Trump’s war on Iran
- Starmer allows US to use British bases to target Iran
- Scots teacher describes ‘loud bangs’ over beach in Dubai amid missile alert
- Over 100,000 Brits register presence in the Middle East
Scotland’s First Minister not sure “anybody knows what the gameplan is” in Iran
21:20 , Shaheena UddinScotland’s First Minister has said he is not sure “anybody knows what the gameplan is” in Iran.
John Swinney said the attacks over the weekend and the growing conflict have “destabilised” the Middle East.
He added: “I’m obviously very concerned about the whole situation, I don’t know what the gameplan is – I’m not altogether sure anybody knows what the gameplan is in relation to this.
“What I do know is that everybody needs to step back and to get around the negotiating table and resolve these issues, because this intervention has destabilised the Middle East and that’s in nobody’s interests.”
Watch: US unleashes B-1 heavy bombers to strike 'deep inside Iran'
21:00 , Shaheena UddinStarmer reacts to Green party deputy attending rally against US's killing of Khamenei
20:40 , Shaheena UddinSir Keir Starmer has said “we’re all shocked” by the actions of Green Party deputy leader Mothin Ali, who attended a rally protesting against the US killing of Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The Prime Minister was responding to Conservative former minister Sir Alec Shelbrooke, who said: “I was appalled, but I’m afraid, not shocked – I’m sure the Prime Minister was as well – to see, once again, the deputy leader of the Green Party at the weekend, protesting in support of the Ayatollah.
“And I’m afraid that the Green Party has become a magnet for all of the people that he quite rightly kicked out of the Labour Party.
“And the hatred and the fear that runs through Leeds now being whipped up at times by councillor Mothin is a disgrace…
“My Jewish community are terrified going into Leeds at the weekend. May I ask the Prime Minister, will he ensure that he works closely with all policing authorities to ensure that my Jewish community and other communities can be safe?”
Sir Keir replied: “I think we’re all shocked by the actions of deputy leader of the Green Party, perhaps not surprised, given their recent turn of direction, and it is important that all of us set our face against antisemitism. And I have to say, the argument that the Green Party makes that now is the time to get out of Nato and negotiate with Putin over our nuclear weapons is contrary to the British national interest.”
Starmer says RAF Akritiri in Cyprus will not be used by US to strike Iran
20:20 , Shaheena UddinPrime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has said that RAF Akritiri in Cyprus will not be used by the US to strike Iranian sites, because it is “not suitable”.
Green Party Westminster leader Ellie Chowns said her party condemns the “deeply irresponsible and illegal attack by the US and Israel on Iran, launched in the middle of nuclear negotiations, led by Trump”.
She branded US President Donald Trump an “unstable loose cannon” and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “war criminal”.
The North Herefordshire MP asked for there to be a vote in Parliament on “any UK involvement in this war”.
Responding, Sir Keir said: “We are not at war and we are not getting involved in offensive action that the US and Israel are taking.”
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called for the Government to adopt a stance of “trying to bring about an immediate ceasefire in order to prevent further dreadful loss of life across every country in the whole region, and the danger of this escalating into a semi-global conflict”.
Watch: Zack Polanski accuses Keir Starmer of jumping into 'another Middle East illegal war'
20:00 , Shaheena UddinOpinion: Trump has it the wrong way round – we are ‘very disappointed’ with him
19:40 , Shaheena UddinThe Independent’s Simon Walters writes...
The president’s feelings towards the UK and how we carry ourselves are very, very much mutual.
Read the full article here:
Trump has it the wrong way round – we are ‘very disappointed’ with him
Dubai plane to London's Heathrow airport carrying stranded UK national takes flight
19:20 , Shaheena UddinAn Etihad Airways flight EY67, flying to London’s Heathrow airport and likely to be carrying stranded UK nationals, has departed from the United Arab Emirates capital.
It is expected to land at 7.14pm at Terminal 4 of the west London airport.
Larges areas of airspace remained closed across the Middle East amid the intensifying conflict between Iran and US-Israeli forces.
Sir Keir Starmer has said the Government is “looking at all options to support our people” as a small number of flights departed from Abu Dhabi.
He told the Commons: “We’re asking all British citizens in the region to register their presence so we can provide the best possible support and to monitor the Home Office travel advice, which is being regularly updated.
“Across much of the region, airspace remains closed, and local authorities are advising individuals to shelter in place.
“The situation on the ground may remain challenging for some time, so we’re sending rapid deployment teams to the region to support our British nationals on the ground.
“And we’re in close contact with the travel industry and governments in the region, including with our friends in the UAE (United Arab Emirates), given the concentration of British nationals in that country, and we’re looking at all options to support our people.
“We want to ensure that they can return home as swiftly and safely as possible.
Brits advised agaisnt travel to Jordan
19:00 , Shaheena UddinBritons are now being advised against “all but essential travel to Jordan”, as the situation in the Middle East continues to escalate.
The Foreign Office updated its travel advice for the country on Monday.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) website now reads: “FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to Jordan.
“FCDO continues to advise against all travel to within 3km of the border with Syria.”
Scotland's First minister says US-Israeli attacks 'not compatible with the international rules based system'
18:44 , Shaheena UddinThe US-Israeli attack on Iran is “not compatible with the international rules-based system”, Scotland’s First Minister has said.
Speaking to the Press Association on Monday, John Swinney voiced his concern over the intervention, but stopped short of saying he considered it illegal.
“I’m deeply concerned by the events in the Middle East over the weekend and I bear no warmth towards the Iranian regime,” he said.
“I think it is an oppressive and a repugnant regime, but when I look at the events of the last few days, it becomes evermore clear to me that the United States and Israeli action, the original action, is not compatible with the international rules-based system.
“As a consequence of that, the United Kingdom now finds itself getting dragged into this conflict, an illustration of how quickly these events can escalate from their original foundations and that’s deeply concerning.”
Pressed on whether the action was legal, the First Minister refused to say.
Reeves under pressure to keep energy and fuel prices affordable in spring statement as Iran war escalates
18:30 , Shaheena UddinRachel Reeves is coming under pressure to prepare an emergency plan to deal with a shock increase in energy and fuel prices in what is being seen as an inevitable impact of Donald Trump’s war with Iran.
With the chancellor due to give her spring statement update on the economy on Tuesday, as the conflict in the Middle East escalates further, Labour MPs have joined others in demanding she puts provides proposals to deal with a hike in oil and gas prices.
Analysts have warned that household energy bills could surge to up to £2,500 a year if the Iran conflict causes longterm disruption to global gas supplies.
The Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
Reeves under pressure to keep energy and fuel prices capped in spring statement
PM assures MPs energy prices will be affordable despite oil and gas spikes
18:16 , Shaheena UddinPrime minister Sir Keir Starmer has assured MPs in the Commons that the government will be working to ensure energy prices are affordable, despite oil and gas prices spiking on Monday.
Labour MP Jeevvun Sandher questioned the prime minister in the Commons over fear of another spike in the cost of living.
Mr Sandher referenced how “energy prices have spiked with oil up by 10 per cent and gas up by 50 per cent.” He asked: “Can the prime minister reassure me that he will act to restore peace in the region, as well as keep life affordable for our citizens?”
Mr Starmer replied: “Yes I can give him my assurances, very importantly raised and I thank him for doing so.”
On Monday global oil prices soared after attacks near the Strait of Hormuz, which ships carrying around a fifth of the global oil supply pass through.
Brent crude rose 4.5 per cent to $76.07 (£60) a barrel in early trade, after briefly topping $82 (£65), while US crude climbed 3.9 per cent.
Watch: Starmer rejects Trump criticism and confirms UK will not join US-Israel strikes on Iran
18:15 , Shaheena UddinDefiant Starmer tells Trump ‘I stand by my decision’ not to join attacks on Iran
18:00 , Shaheena UddinSir Keir Starmer has defiantly hit back at Donald Trump and defended his decision not to allow British military bases to be used by the US for the first wave of strikes against Iran, telling the Commons: “I stand by my decision.”
The prime minister granted permission on Sunday for the US to use UK bases to target Iran's missile launchers and stores to help protect countries targeted by Tehran, but the US president said he was “very disappointed” in Sir Keir over his initial refusal to allow the US to use the UK-US Diego Garcia base on the Chagos Islands as part of the operation.
He added that it "took far too long" for the prime minister to change his mind.
The Independent’s political editor David Maddox & political reporter Athena Stavrou report:
Defiant Starmer tells Trump ‘I stand by my decision’ not to join attacks on Iran
In pictures: Swearing in of Hannah Spencer MP
17:35 , Shaheena UddinIn other news...
Hannah Spencer has been sworn in as MP for Gorton and Denton of the Green Party.
Analysis: Starmer’s reaction to the attack on Iran has bolstered his position with Labour MPs
17:19 , Shaheena UddinThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
Donald Trump, Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch may not like Keir Starmer’s decision not to allow the UK to take part in attacks on Iran but it is clear that his own Labour MPs strongly approve.
As the statement to the Commons goes on this afternoon Labour MP after Labour MP have got to their feet to thank Sir Keir for his reliance on international law and responsibility in the face of “an illegal act of aggression” by President Trump.
His early reference to the Iraq War and learning the lessons, his decision to stand up to Trump’s criticism and his agreement that offensive action needs a vote in parliament presses all the right buttons for Labour MPs.
Suddenly, a prime minister who Labour MPs were plotting to replace seems to them to be the right man at the right time in Downing Street, praised by them as a statement in uncertain times.
What this means is that there will be no serious leadership talk now until after the local and devolved elections on 7 May despite the humiliation of the Gorton and Denton by-election last week.
PM has 'humiliated us on the international stage', Deputy Reform leader says
17:10 , Shaheena UddinDeputy leader of Reform UK, Richard Tice, claimed the Prime Minister has “humiliated us on the international stage” by failing to support US strikes on Iran.
Mr Tice said: “The truth is this dreadful Iranian regime has been a permanent threat to British interests, British citizens, both domestically and abroad – attacking us, they’re spreading their extremist ideology.
“And surely the Prime Minister understands that actually the United States and Israel has done the West a huge, huge favour in degrading the military capability of this terrible regime?
“And does he not understand that after 10 years of negotiations that have failed, actually the West was left with no alternative? And does he understand also that, actually, in refusing to support the US, he has humiliated us on the international stage?”
Sir Keir Starmer agreed that the Iranian regime is “abhorrent”, but added: “I think he’s saying that, because of that, it is perfectly right for a British prime minister to deploy and take action which would not be lawful.
“I simply and fundamentally disagree. I think it’s a very important principle when we’re talking about our personnel, that we ensure that what we’re asking them to do, and they’re being asked to put their lives at risk, that we ensure that it is lawful. I believe in that fundamentally. I’m surprised if he doesn’t.”
Badenoch claims Labour wanted to avoid alienating voters who are 'swayed by conflicts in Middle East'
16:59 , Shaheena UddinTory leader Kemi Badenoch claimed the Government’s reluctance to allow US forces to use UK bases was because Labour wanted to avoid alienating voters “whose political loyalties are swayed by conflicts in the Middle East, not the British national interest”.
“It isn’t ‘international law’ or principle,” she said. “It’s pure, partisan, political calculations from a party that has surrendered its right to govern our country.”
Former Tory minister who served in Iraq claims comparisons to Iran are 'false'
16:57 , Shaheena UddinA Conservative former minister who previously served in the Iraq war said comparisons between the situation in Iran and the UK’s war with Saddam Hussein’s country are false.
Tom Tugendhat, former security minister, said referencing Iraq was false as there are no plans to deploy troops to Iran.
Mr Tugendhat said: “The comparisons between this and that vote are absolutely zero. The reality is nobody is talking about ground troops, nobody is talking about a land invasion. What we’re talking about here is striking those targets that are targeting our friends and allies.
“In the last few hours we know of over 500 rockets that have struck the United Arab Emirates, and no doubt many have struck bases around the area. Will he be deploying HMS Dauntless and HMS Duncan out to the Gulf right now, they’re both at a state of readiness, and I’m sure the Defence Secretary could give that order this afternoon?”
Sir Keir Starmer replied: “Nobody is making the comparisons with Iraq, there is a question of drawing the lessons from Iraq and the lessons that I draw is that there must be a lawful basis for the action that we take, and there must be a viable plan. On the question of operational matters, I won’t go into that across the despatch box.”
Earlier Conservative former deputy prime minister Sir Oliver Dowden questioned why the attack on RAF Akrotiri would not form the basis “for legal military action against the Iranians”, to which Sir Keir replied: “We are in the sky, taking action defensively.”
Badenoch promises to tackle 'separatism' and 'end identity politics' by overhauling Equality Act
16:53 , Shaheena UddinConservative leader, Kemi Badenoch has unveiled her party’s plan to tackle “separatism” and “end identity politics”.
Her plan will look to overhaul the Equality Act “so it prioritises meritocracy and strengthens integration”, Mr Badenoch said.
Ms Badenoch claimed separatism was “most visible in some Muslim communities, with extremism its most violent expression,” but said the issue was also emerging elsewhere.
Following the recent Gorton and Denton by-election, Reform leader Nigel Farage claimed was a victory for “sectarian voting and cheating”. Ms Badenoch said she did not believe women were “marched into the voting booth to stop them from voting Reform”, but claimed something “much deeper and disturbing” was happening.
She claims the by-election featured campaigning “designed to mobilise voters on ethnicity and religion, not domestic priorities”.
“People were voting not based on who would increase their wages or fix their schools, but on who would protect the interests of their identity groups and punish those who they disagree with. This is not healthy and it is not British,” she said.
“We will act on a simple doctrine. We will end identity politics in the state full stop. No racial preferences, protected characteristics will not be used as criteria for hiring, promotion, admissions or procurement.”
She said her party would launch a commission to recommend an integration and cohesion plan that “sets out the culture that we want people to assimilate into, what we expect and what we will enforce”.
She promised to establish “universalism” which she defined as “one set of rules for everyone” which will “run through every aspect of government policy, from education to policing, welfare to immigration.”
Starmer says drone attack on RAF in Cyprus was 'not in retaliation'
16:45 , Shaheena UddinHours after the prime minister Sir Keir Starmer announcement on Sunday about allowing the US use of bases, a drone hit RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
However, Mr Starmer said the drone was launched before his announcement and was not in retaliation to it.
Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed there were no casualties and the damage to the base was minimal.
The families of service personnel have been moved away from the base as a precaution.
On Monday, a spokesperson for the Cypriot government said two further unmanned drones heading towards the base had been intercepted.
Mr Healey said the drone which hit Akrotiri was an example of the “dangerous and indiscriminate attacks” by Iran and its proxies.
Labour MP questions Starmer on vote on offensive action in Iran
16:39 , Shaheena UddinLabour MP John McDonnell has questioned the Prime Minister on whether MPs will get a vote on offensive action to prevent the UK from drifting into war.
He said: “The Prime Minister is right, there needs to be a plan – has the US president shared with him or consulted with him on what the plan is?
“Because from our experience, we know it’s easy for politicians to start the war and fire the weapons. It’s when the shooting ends, the nightmare begins. That’s why we need clarity of our role as a country, an independent country, not necessarily swayed, not even by Donald Trump.”
The Hayes and Harlington MP added: “When he stood for the leadership of the Labour Party, he very clearly set out that there would be a vote in this House on any decision about military action. Can I ask him to assure us, so that we don’t drift into this war, as we have in the past, that there will be a vote in this House?”
In response to a “viable and thought-through plan”, Sir Keir Starmer said: “we’ve had discussions at all levels with the US in relation to that”.
He added: “On the question he raises about a vote, that is of course, a vote on offensive action, deploying our troops or military, and that is not this situation.”
'This Government does not believe in regime change from the skies', Starmer says
16:37 , Shaheena UddinSir Keir Starmer has said service personnel “deserve to know that their Prime Minister cares and pays attention to whether what I am asking them to do is lawful”.
The Prime Minister told the Commons: “This Government does not believe in regime change from the skies.”
“The lessons of history have taught us that it is important when we make decisions like this, that we establish there is a lawful basis for what the United Kingdom is doing. That is one of the lessons from Iraq.”
He added: “I am not prepared to commit our military service people to action unless I am sure that what they are doing is lawful and has a viable basis.
“We can discuss what the law is on another occasion, but the law is what it is, and they deserve to know that their Prime Minister cares and pays attention to whether what I am asking them to do is lawful, and I will always do that.”
'This war is reckless and irresponsible', Northern Ireland's first minister says
16:34 , Shaheena UddinNorthern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill has said” “This war is reckless and irresponsible”, in a post shared on social media platform X. She confirmed she is in “ongoing contact” with both the Irish and UK governments over the situation in the Middle East.
Ms O’Neill has not joined a second UK Cabinet briefing on the ongoing conflict. Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly has attended both briefings for Northern Ireland in her place.
Over the past number of days, I have spoken with many families whose loved ones are in the Middle East.
— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) March 2, 2026
I am in ongoing contact with the Irish and British governments and I am working to support our citizens in the region.
This war is reckless and irresponsible.
Further… pic.twitter.com/D4F7LFLt6k
Ed Davey condemns Trump's 'unlawful' attack on Iran
16:31 , Shaheena UddinLiberal Democrats leader, Sir Ed Davey has criticised US President Donald Trump on his launch of an “unlawful” attack on Iran. Mr Davey criticised the Prime Minister’s failure to stand up to him as it “makes our country less safe”, he said.
“I think of all the innocent Iranian civilians who have lost their lives,” the leader of the Liberal Democrats said.
“I think of the US service personnel killed in action, our allies and partners in the region, who are being outrageously targeted by Iran and our British bases, which have already faced attack. They did not choose this war; Donald Trump did, and he will bear responsibility for it.
“We have seen before what happens when an American president launches an illegal war with no idea how or when it is going to end, and we fear for what comes next.”
He added: “Does the Prime Minister understand that when he fails to stand up to Trump, especially when he breaks international law, it makes our country less safe?”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer responded: “We have had extensive discussions with the United States at all levels, including the military-to-military level, continually over the course of the weekend. We deliberately took the decision not to join the offensive strikes that were carried out by the US and Israel.”
Badenoch accuses government of 'dither and delay' over Iran
16:28 , Shaheena UddinConservative leader Kemi Badenoch has accused the government of “dither and delay” as she reiterated the Tory party’s support for US strikes against Iran.
She said: “It was only last night that the Prime Minister finally told us that the Government would allow our allies the use of our own air bases, despite it being obvious that UK interests were under imminent threat…
“Unbelievably in his statement today, the Prime Minister still cannot say whether he backs the strikes or not. Today, the president of the United States has taken the extraordinary step of rebuking the Prime Minister publicly, saying he took far too long to grant access.
“We are told that this dither and delay is because of concerns over international law, but I am afraid that explanation simply does not hold.
“International law didn’t prevent our allies from clearly and unequivocally stating whose side they were on. You don’t need international law to say whose side you’re on. It has not prevented British governments in the past from supporting strikes, which we knew to be right.
“As the shadow attorney general has said, if the doctrines of international law are unable to restrain Iranian terrorism and mass murder, if they tie the hands of democracies while forcing us to stand and watch Iranian atrocities, international law will have failed. It will have become a fundamentally immoral system of law.
“Why is it that, under this Prime Minister, international law always seems to be at odds with our national interest?”
Striking Iran's ballistic missiles in flight like trying to knock an 'arrow' out of sky, Westminster insiders say
16:25 , Shaheena UddinWestminster insiders have said attempts to hit Iran’s ballistic missiles once they were already in flight was like trying to knock an “arrow” out of the sky. Yet the US had been given permission to use British bases to go after the “archer” – the launch sites and storage silos.
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “It is clear that Iran’s outrageous response has become a threat to our people, our interests, and our allies and it cannot be ignored.”
Iran has struck targets across the Middle East, including in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and there are fears Tehran has the capability to keep up its retaliatory actions for a week.
Around 300,000 Britons are believed to be in countries targeted by Iran, with 102,000 registering their presence with the Foreign Office as officials worked on contingency plans including a possible mass evacuation.
On Sunday a drone hit a RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, hours after Starmer announced that it will allow the US to use its bases to target Iran. However Starmer said the drone was launched before his announcement and was not in retaliation to it.
Starmer working with Ukraine to down Iranian drones
16:12 , Shaheena UddinThe Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has said Britain is working with Ukraine to help deter Iranian drones attacking the Gulf region.
Ukraine has previously said Moscow has fired more than 57,000 Iranian Shahed drones at Ukraine during its war.
Labour MP Emily Thornberry asked Sir Keir for details on how the UK is working with Ukrainian experts to “support the collective self defence of Arab nations” such drones.
The prime minister replied: “Ukraine, sadly, has more expertise than anyone in dealing with drones, and that's why we're putting their expertise and our expertise together and using it to help our allies in the region of nations as we speak.”
Ed Davey wants ‘washed up old footballers’ to pay for UK defence
16:10 , Shaheena UddinThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
The Lib Dem leader used his statement to accuse Donald Trump of launching “an illegal war” with Iran.
However, he also turned his fire on tax exiles including “billionaires and washed up footballers” who are living in the Middle East to avoid paying UK tax.
He wants them “pay their fair share to fund British defence” as the UK seeks to ensure that tax havens like Dubai and Bahrain are protected from Iran’s retaliation.
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Lessons have been learned from Iraq war, Starmer says
16:09 , Shaheena UddinPrime minister Sir Keir Starmer said lessons have been learned from the invasion and war in Iraq, as he said any current actions by the UK must have a basis in law.
Mr Starmer called for a return to diplomacy and said the UK will act to protect its people in the region and aid its allies nearby.
The Government will also ensure Jewish and Muslim places of worship will have security in place after the attacks on Iran, and retaliation against Israel.
He said: “I’ve spoken recently about the toll that global events are taking here at home. They come crashing into our lives with ever greater frequency, hitting our economy, driving up prices on the supermarket shelves or at the pump, dividing communities, bringing anxiety and fear. That’s why how we operate on the world stage matters so much.
“We all remember the mistakes of Iraq, and we have learned those lessons. Any UK actions must always have a lawful basis and a viable thought-through plan.
“I say again, we were not involved in the initial strikes on Iran, and we will not join offensive action now, but in the face of Iran’s barrage of missiles and drones, we will protect our people in the region, and support the collective self-defence of our allies, because that is our duty to the British people.
“It is the best way to eliminate the urgent threat, to prevent the situation spiralling further, and support a return to diplomacy. It is the best way to protect British interests, and British lives. That is what this Government is doing.”
Starmer asks British citizens in the region to register their presence
16:02 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer said the situation on the ground “may remain challenging for some time” but the Government is “looking at all options to support our people”.
The Prime Minister told the Commons: “We’re asking all British citizens in the region to register their presence so we can provide the best possible support and to monitor the Home Office travel advice, which is being regularly updated.
“Across much of the region, airspace remains closed, and local authorities are advising individuals to shelter in place.
“The situation on the ground may remain challenging for some time, so we’re sending rapid deployment teams to the region to support our British nationals on the ground.
“And we’re in close contact with the travel industry and governments in the region, including with our friends in the UAE (United Arab Emirates), given the concentration of British nationals in that country, and we’re looking at all options to support our people.
“We want to ensure that they can return home as swiftly and safely as possible. The FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) phone lines are open to provide consular support, and ministers are available to meet MPs to discuss any individual cases.”
Analysis: The shadow of Iraq hangs over Labour
16:00 , Holly EvansOur political editor David Maddox writes...
Sir Keir Starmer made it clear that Tony Blair’s decision to side with the US over the invasion of Iraq in 2005 is now affecting his decision making with Donald Trump’s war on Iran.
To sounds of agreement from Labour MPs, he said: “How we operate on the world stage matters so much.
“We all remember the mistakes of Iraq and we have learned those lessons. Any UK actions must always have a lawful basis.”
The decision taken by Blair ultimately ended his premiership and saw Labour descend into recrimination which helped keep the party out of power for 14 years.
Preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons will be 'achieved at negotiating table'
15:58 , Holly EvansThe aim of preventing the Iranian regime from getting their hands on nuclear weapons “will have to be achieved at the negotiating table”, Sir Keir Starmer said.
In a statement to the Commons, the Prime Minister said: “Be in no doubt, the regime in Iran is utterly abhorrent. In January, they murdered thousands of their own people. The full horror of which is still hidden from the world.
“For decades, they have sought to destabilise the region and export terror around the world. Their proxies in Yemen have targeted British ships in the Red Sea, they facilitated Russia’s attacks in Ukraine.
“The regime’s tentacles have even reached these shores, posing a direct threat to Iranian dissidents and to the Jewish community.
“Over the last year alone, Iran has backed more than 20 potentially lethal attacks on UK soil, each of which we have foiled.
“So it’s clear the Iranian regime must never be allowed to get their hands on nuclear weapons. That remains the primary aim of the United Kingdom and our allies, including the US, and ultimately, this will have to be achieved at the negotiating table.”
'We have learned the mistakes of Iraq,' Starmer says
15:53 , Holly EvansThe UK has “learned the mistakes of Iraq” and will always act on a “lawful basis”, the prime minister has said.
He told the House of Commons: “We all remember the mistakes of Iraq and we have learned those lessons. Any UK action must always have a lawful basis, and a viable thought-through plan.”
He added: “ I say again, we were not involved in the initial strikes on Iran, and we will not join offensive action now. But in the face of Iran’s barrage of missiles and drones, we will protect our people in the region and support the collective self-defence of our allies, because that is our duty to the British people.”
UK will not join US-Israeli attacks on Iran, says Starmer
15:49 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer has explained how the US will use UK military bases, and confirmed the British forces would not join attacks directly.
The prime minister told the Commons that the UK has granted American forces permission to use British bases to destroy Iranian missiles at storage depots or at launch sites.
“It is simply not possible to shoot down every Iranian missile and every drone after they've been launched,” he said.
“The US requested permission to use British bases for that specific and limited defensive purposes.”
Iran's 'outrageous response' has become a threat to UK interests, Starmer says
15:43 , Holly EvansWhile stating he stands by his decision, Starmer added that the situation had developed since Saturday due to revenge attacks carried out by the Iranian regime.
"It is clear that Iran's outrageous response has become a threat to our people, our interests, and our allies, and it cannot be ignored,” he said.
He repeated an estimated 300,000 Britons are in the Middle East, while a drone strike has occurred at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
He said: "It is important for me to say that our bases in Cyprus are not being used by US bombers.
"I want to be clear. The strike on RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus was not in response to any decision that we have taken. In our assessment, the drone was launched prior to our announcement."
'I stand by it’: Starmer dismisses Trump criticism
15:38 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer has said he “stands by” his decision not to allow the US to use British bases to attack Iran initially.
In an interview with The Telegraph, the US president said he was “very disappointed” and said Starmer “took far too long” to change his mind to allow them to use bases such as the Chagos Islands.
In his statement on Monday, Sir Keir told the Commons: “President Trump has expressed his disagreement with our decision not to get involved in the initial strikes.
“But it is my duty to judge what is in Britain's national interest, and I stand by it.”
Sir Keir Starmer addresses House of Commons
15:36 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer has begun addressing Parliament on his response to the Iran crisis.
Pictured: Starmer leaving No10 to address Parliament
15:25 , Holly Evans
Opinion: We should be grateful that ‘statesman Starmer’ is still in charge
15:15 , Holly EvansOur columnist Victoria Richards writes...
What a difference not even a week has made for the prime minister.
It’s hard to believe that, little more than 72 hours ago, Keir Starmer’s leadership was as good as in the ground, turned to dust by the Gorton and Denton by-election in which Labour lost its seventh safest seat to the Green Party.
Today, all that is little more than the throwaway “And finally…” bit on the evening news, the world’s eyes being fixed anxiously on Iran.
Read the full article here:
We should be grateful that ‘statesman Starmer’ is still in charge
Starmer to address Parliament at 3.30pm
15:05 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer will update Parliament on the Middle East crisis at 3.30pm.
The Prime Minister said: “I know the situation in the Middle East is worrying for British people in the region, and at home.
“It’s my duty as Prime Minister to keep British people safe.
“I will be answering questions on the steps we took over the weekend in Parliament.”
Etihad Airways flight takes off from Abu Dhabi for Heathrow
14:56 , Holly EvansAn Etihad Airways flight has taken off from Abu Dhabi for London’s Heathrow airport.
Flight EY67 is expected to land at 7.14pm at Terminal 4 of the west London airport.
It was one of 15 Etihad Airways flights to depart from Abu Dhabi in a three-hour window, flight tracking company Flightradar24 said.
The flights are “likely helping to clear transit passengers who have been stuck there since the start of the conflict”, Flightradar24 added.
Emirates airline to resume 'limited number of flights'
14:45 , Holly EvansEmirates said it will resume operating “a limited number of flights” on Monday night.
The Dubai-based airline suspended its operations because of the war in the Middle East.
It said in a statement: “Emirates will begin operating a limited number of flights commencing on the evening of 2 March.
“We are accommodating customers with earlier bookings as a priority, and those who have been rebooked to travel on these limited flights will be contacted directly by Emirates.
“Please do not go to the airport unless you have been notified. All other flights remain suspended until further notice.”
Emirates will begin operating a limited number of flights commencing on the evening of 2 March.
— Emirates Support (@EmiratesSupport) March 2, 2026
We are accommodating customers with earlier bookings as a priority, and those who have been rebooked to travel on these limited flights will be contacted directly by Emirates.
Please… pic.twitter.com/YATNz5gSdh
Badenoch appears to back deploying UK troops if Iran develops nuclear weapons
14:40 , Holly EvansKemi Badenoch has warned Iran would launch a catastrophic attack on the UK if it developed a nuclear weapon, as she appeared to back British troops being deployed in the Middle East conflict.
She said: “I do not want to see a situation where we are sending British troops, people’s sons and daughters, to war when we are not clear what is going on.
“With Iran it is very, very clear what is going on and we can’t just bury our heads in the sand like ostriches and hope that if we just do nothing, the problem will go away.
“I do not want to see an Iran that has nukes because if they do have nukes, we will be nuked.
“That is very clear. That is what we need to explain to many people who may not understand the specifics of the situation of the details.
“We need to be honest about that. Sir Keir Starmer does not know what he believes. I know what I believe and I am able to say so.”
Downing Street brush off Trump’s criticism of Starmer
14:27 , Holly EvansOur political correspondent Athena Stavrou writes...
No 10 has brushed off Donald Trump’s criticism of Sir Keir Starmer for initially blocking the US from using British military bases to target Iran.
In an interview with The Telegraph, the US president said he was “very disappointed” and said Starmer “took far too long” to change his mind to allow them to use bases such as the Chagos Islands.
He said: “That’s probably never happened between our countries before. It sounds like he was worried about the legality.”
But the prime minister’s official spokesperson insisted: “The UK and US are staunch allies, and have been for many decades."
‘I worry about allowing people like Zarah Sultana to vote on issues of national security’, says Badenoch
14:17 , Holly EvansOur political correspondent Millie Cooke writes...
Kemi Badenoch has said she thinks it was right not to give MPs a vote on allowing the use of UK bases for strikes on Iran, saying she worries about “allowing people like Zarah Sultana to be voting on serious issues of natural security.”
Asked whether she thinks MPs should be given a vote on events in Iran, the Tory leader said: “I think it depends. I don’t think we needed a vote on this. And quite frankly, given that this is the most left wing Parliament with a lot of extremely silly people sitting there I do actually worry about allowing people like Zarah Sultana to be voting on serious issues of natural security.
“There is a place for MPs to vote, there is a place for that, but sometimes when things are moving quickly we can’t spend time with lots of people giving speeches which are written by chat GPT about stuff they don’t know about.“
Badenoch says international law excuse is 'a fig leaf'
14:09 , Holly EvansKemi Badenoch has accused Sir Keir Starmer of a “party political calculation” with his initial refusal to allow the UK-US Diego Garcia base to be used to target Iran.
Delivering a speech at the Policy Exchange think tank, the leader of the Opposition said British people “will be wondering why our country’s response has been so weak”.
She added: “The official explanation for the hesitancy is international law, but this is a fig leaf.
“The real explanation is not legal, it is political.
“Across the UK there are groups whose political loyalties when it comes to conflicts in the Middle East do not align with British national interests.
“These are people who Labour sees as their voters because without them, they cannot stay in power.
“This is not international law or principle, it is pure partisan political calculation from a Labour Party that has surrendered its right to govern our country, and it is the reality of decades of failed integration policy.”
UK government ‘looking at all options’ to evacuate British citizens
14:00 , Shaheena UddinThe Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
The UK government is “looking at all options” as it works on plans for the potential evacuation of more than 100,000 Britons from the Middle East.
It is understood that there is around 200,000 British nationals in the region, with 100,000 having registered their presence with the government.
British nationals are being advised to follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor the Foreign Office’s travel advice, which officials expect to change rapidly.It is understood any repatriation of UK nationals would likely be organised by the Foreign Office, with one potential route involving people travelling by land to Saudi Arabia from where they could board flights.
Badenoch: Integration should not be a two way street
13:56 , Shaheena UddinThe Independent’s Millie Cooke reports:
Kemi Badenoch has suggested integration should not be a two way street, instead saying people who come to Britain should assimilate.
She told a press conference in London: “Tolerance is an important part of any decent society, but tolerating minority communities doesn’t mean that we want people living in tribes.
“What we want is assimilation. One society, with shared norms under the same laws.”
She added: “Instead of asking newcomers to join our way of life, too many people in authority decided integration was a two way street.
“This is what creates the space for separatism with endless arguments about Halal meat and whether or not we should ban burqas.
“The fact is, if authorities cannot enforce the law on family voting in Gorton, I can assure you they are not going to be ripping burqas off women’s faces or putting them in prison.”
UK's commitment to international law remains ‘iron clad’ as more details of limitation deal emerge
13:53 , Shaheena UddinThe Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
Downing Street has insisted that the UK’s commitment to international law “remains iron clad” and said the US request to use UK bases to strike Iran was granted in line with international law.
Sir Keir Starmer confirmed he had given American forces permission to use British military bases for “specific and limited defensive purpose” as it continues it’s attacks on Iran.It is understood that the UK has given US permission for the limited purpose of targeting Iranian ballistic missile depots and launchers.
The prime minister’s spokesperson said the UK’s commitment to international law “remains iron clad” and said the request was granted “in line with international law”.
Pete Hegseth accuses allies of 'hemming and hawing' about using force
13:50 , Shaheena UddinUnited States’ Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, has accused allies of “clutching their pearls” and “hemming and hawing” about using force.
Mr Hegseth said: “Capable partners [like Israel] are good partners unlike so many of our traditional allies who ring the hands and clutch their pearls, hemming and hawing about the use of force”.
Leader of Scottish labour condemns his father for praising Iran's 'brutal' Ayatollah
13:47 , Shaheena UddinThe leader of Scottish Labour has condemned his father for praising Iran’s “brutal” Ayatollah after he was killed in US-Israeli air strikes.
Anas Sarwar said he was “embarassed” by his father Chaudhry Sarwar’s posts. He said it was “wrong” to post a tribute to Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, who has killed thousands of civilians in the country.
His father, a former Glasgow Labour MP and later the governor of Punjab, described the Islamist dictator as a “martyr”.
He said the Muslim world had been deprived of a “strong voice of resistance” following his death on Saturday.
According to X’s translation of his tweet, which was in Urdu, Sarwar senior said: “Our hearts are saddened by the martyrdom of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
“The Muslim Ummah has lost a strong voice of resistance.
“May Allah grant him Paradise. We share the grief of the Iranian nation equally.”
Speaking to the Press Association at Glasgow Airport, Mr Sarwar said he did not agree with his father’s comments “He’s wrong,” the Scottish Labour leader said.
“My view is that the leader of Iran has been a brutal dictator that has obviously done many bad things to his own citizens, has threatened many of his neighbours, has funded countless attacks, has been behind several threats to our own country here, and I think there will be lots of people who have very strong views about what he was like as an individual, or what that regime was like.
“In terms of the broader situation, look, this is a really dangerous time.
“It’s a dangerous time, of course for Iran itself, but it’s a dangerous time for the entire region, and what needs to happen really quickly is a de-escalation and an end to the war.”
He called for “no nuclear capability for Iran” and prioritising “freedom and peace and security for all nations across the broader Middle East”.
Badenoch takes aim at Labour ‘hesitancy’ over Iran
13:41 , Shaheena UddinThe Independent’s Millie Cooke reports:
Kemi Badenoch has taken aim at Labour’s “hesitancy” over Iran, dubbing the UK’s approach to the Middle East “weak”.
She also claimed the government initially refused to allow the US to use UK airbases to launch strikes for political reasons, claiming “there are groups whose political loyalties when it comes to conflicts in the Middle East do not align with British national interest”.
Giving a press conference in London, the Tory leader said: “People in Britain will be wondering why our country’s response has been so weak.
“The official explanation for the hesitancy is international law, but this is a figleaf. The real explanation is not legal, it is political.
“Across the UK, there are groups whose political loyalties when it comes to conflicts in the Middle East do not align with British national interest.
“These are people who Labour see as their voters, because without them they cannot stay in power.”
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Iran could sustain attacks for at least a week
13:40 , Shaheena UddinThe Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
Iran could sustain military action in the Middle East for at least a week, it is understood.
Donald Trump has previously said the war with Iran may last as long as four or five weeks, despite initially suggesting the active phase would last “two or three days”.
However, it is understood that it is believed that Iran could sustain their military response for at least week, having learnt lessons from the 12-day war in June last year.
Starmer to answer questions on 'worrying' situation in Middle East this afternoon
13:31 , Shaheena UddinIn a post shared on X, Sir Keir Starmer said “I know the situation in the Middle East is worrying for British people in the region, and at home.”
He explained he will be answering questions on the steps the UK government has taken over the weekend in parliament today at 3.30pm.
I know the situation in the Middle East is worrying for British people in the region, and at home.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) March 2, 2026
It’s my duty as Prime Minister to keep British people safe.
I will be answering questions on the steps we took over the weekend in Parliament. Watch at 3:30pm.…
Labour suspends Leeds mosque chairman for alleged 'abhorrent views'
13:28 , Shaheena UddinLabour has suspended Leeds mosque’s chairman from the party over allegations about ‘his abhorrent views’.
Arshad Khatana has been administratively suspended from Labour following an ongoing investigation.
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “These abhorrent views are clearly not shared by the Chancellor.
“She was not aware of these allegations.”
Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick said Mr Khatana had “abhorrent and shocking views” and accused him of sharing conspiracy theories about 9/11 and made antisemitic comments.
Mr Jenrick posted on X criticising Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ connections to Mr Khatana. The Newark MP said Ms Reeves had referred to Mr Khatana as a “friend” and had visited his house for lunch during her time as Chancellor. He called on the chancellor to “explain herself”.
Mr Farage admitted he had met Mr Khatana after he was pictured together in 2013 in a photograph which has since emerged from his X account when he was the leader of UKIP.
He said: “I met him once… you know you can meet someone once, but that’s a day on which you probably met and photographed with 100 people.
“This is gotcha stuff with just one photograph.”
Mr Jenrick said: “There is a world of difference from a visit and somebody or other posing with them for a photograph and the Chancellor of the Exchequer building a deep and lasting friendship with this disgusting extremist man.
“Posting photos, going around his house for lunch… That’s completely ridiculous. And Rachel Reeves needs to explain herself for what she’s done.”
Farage branded ‘hypocrite’ after meeting Labour activist accused of extremism by Reform
13:17 , Shaheena UddinNigel Farage was pictured meeting a Labour Party activist who Reform are now accusing of extremism and linking to chancellor Rachel Reeves.
A picture has emerged of Mr Farage meeting Arshad Khatana at the Ghousia Mosque in Leeds in 2013 when he was leader of UKIP. The pair were both taking part in an interfaith event.
It comes as Labour suspended the activist after Reform made allegations linking him to chancellor Rachel Reeves and highlighting extremist views he is claimed to have expressed.
The Independent’s political editor, David Maddox, reports:
Starmer expected to address the Commons on the Middle East crisis this afternoon
13:12 , Shaheena UddinPrime minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to address the Commons on the Middle East crisis this afternoon at 3.30pm.
The Prime Minister said: “I know the situation in the Middle East is worrying for British people in the region, and at home.
“It’s my duty as Prime Minister to keep British people safe.“I will be answering questions on the steps we took over the weekend in Parliament.”
Mr Starmer announced on Sunday his decision to allow US forces to operate from British bases to target Iran. Downing Street has now said the only way to stop the threat of Iran's missiles is to destroy them “at source”.
Donald Trump said he was “very disappointed” in Sir Keir Starmer for initially refusing to allow the use of the UK-US Diego Garcia base to target Iran.
Mr Starmer’s announcement came just hours before a drone hit the RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus. The decision followed a day of conversations with regional leaders, during which it is understood they asked the UK to do more to protect them from Iranian missiles.
Priti Patel says Labour response to Iran has been 'shameful'
12:58 , Holly EvansDame Priti Patel MP, Shadow Foreign Secretary, said: “It is no surprise that our closest and most important ally is so disappointed. The Labour Government’s response to the crisis in Iran has been shameful.
“We should have been supporting our allies, not making it harder for them. Even now Starmer is still trying to sit on the fence, which is a complete failure of leadership.
“This is another reminder that Starmer’s Chagos Surrender is not in our national interest. When I was in Washington last week, everyone I spoke to was critical of the deal.
“It is undermining the Special Relationship and should be scrapped.”
Your rights as Middle East cruises disrupted by US-Iran war
12:47 , Holly EvansThousands of passengers on cruise ships including Celestyal Discovery, Mein Schiff 4 and MSC Euribia are being kept on board amid the conflict between Israel, the US and Iran.
Celestyal, MSC Cruises and Mein Schiff, a Tui-affiliated operator, have all cancelled cruises that were due to sail around the Arabian Gulf this week.
In some cases, such as on ships already docked in Dubai, passengers are not being allowed to disembark.
Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery were due to depart on sailings around the United Arab Emirates today (2 March) from Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively but these routes have been cancelled.
Read the full article here:
British Airways owner IAG sees stock price plummet as FTSE 100 falls in wake of Iran strikes
12:28 , Holly EvansThe FTSE 100 has suffered a drop of more than 1 per cent on Monday, as stock markets around the world react to strikes on Iran by the US and the ensuing crisis across the Middle East.
While the prices of oil and gold have both gone up, stock markets are heading in the opposite direction as investors weigh the uncertainty and risk around businesses of different types.
In London’s main index, British Airlines owner IAG was one of the biggest fallers in morning trading, falling up to 7 per cent before clawing back some ground, though was still down 5 per cent approaching noon GMT.
Read the full article here:
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British Airways owner sees stock price plummet as FTSE 100 falls
Farage says boots on the ground in Iran would be 'huge mistake'
12:25 , Holly EvansNigel Farage said he is opposed to putting British “boots on the ground” in support of regime change in Iran.
Asked whether he would back such a move, the Reform UK leader said: “I don’t want to do that. I think that would be a huge mistake.”
Mr Farage made reference to Iranians who had been massacred in their tens of thousands during recent protests and said regime change would represent a “great liberation”.
He added: “We couldn’t put boots on the ground, we have barely got an army left.
“Even if we wanted to do it, we don’t have the operational capacity to attempt anything on that scale that would be meaningful at all.
“I don’t want us to get dragged into it, but there is a heck of a lot what we can do to help and support our allies on this.
“If not boots on the ground, it is Royal Air Force, it is Royal Navy and it is intelligence.”
Analysis: If it was not dead before Trump has killed off his relationship with Starmer
12:08 , Holly EvansOur political editor David Maddox says:
It feels like a long time ago now since Keir Starmer was being hailed on the international stage for being a sort of miraculous “Trump whisperer” who all the other world leaders wanted to copy.
But the interview which the US president has just given to the Daily Telegraph attacking Sir Keir’s refusal to allow attacks on Iran to be launched from RAF bases and the UK not being involved in the raids on Iran surely marks the end of the relationship.
Already issues like handing over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, Starmer’s refusal to support Trump’s claims on Greenland and the US trade tariffs had poisoned what had been a very positive relationship.
But it is clear that massaging the ego of the quixotic Donald Trump only goes so far.
Sir Keir has acted reasonably throughout but that has gone down badly in the White House.The problem for the PM though is that without his ability to deal with this president he loses the one thing that had made his premiership a success.
Unfortunately for him though, unless he wants to become the puppet to the whims of Trump like Farage is then there seems to be no way back.
Farage calls Starmer's response to Iran conflict 'pathetic'
11:58 , Holly EvansNigel Farage has described Sir Keir Starmer’s response to the conflict in the Middle East as “pathetic” as he backed the actions of the US and Israel.
The Reform UK leader said: “I do believe the American president and the Israelis are right in what they are doing.
“I find the actions of our Prime Minister – or the inactions, perhaps I should say, of our Prime Minister – frankly pathetic.”
Highlighting a decision to deny the US use of UK bases for launching missions, Mr Farage said this is “something that the president has responded to already by saying that he is deeply disappointed”.
Mr Farage added: “I do believe that Starmer’s actions don’t just threaten the special relationship, but probably he has posed, or did pose, a major threat to Nato.”
British national stranded in Zimbabwe as flights to Dubai grounded
11:50 , Dan HaygarthThe grounding of flights at Dubai International airport due to airstrikes in the Middle East has left tourists and travellers stranded.
That disruption is not limited to those in Gulf states, as Dubai as an interchange for many airline routes worldwide.
British national Margaret Khumalo, 54, has been visiting family in Zimbabwe but her return flight from Harare to London via Dubai on Saturday was cancelled.
She remains stuck in Africa, with no Emirates flights operating on her route. Ms Khumalo, who is a nurse, said she is in “limbo” and is losing contracted work she was set to begin today.
She told The Independent: “Dubai is a big hub for all these flights from Africa to Europe. It's a big gateway for literally everyone and there are a lot of us that are stuck here.
“The British government is trying to see how they can get people back home, and I'm thinking no one's mentioned us [in Africa].”
Ms Khumalo feels “lucky” as she is able to stay with her family for the time being but currently has no idea when she will be able return to her home in Broxley.
“I don't know who to contact for anything in terms of if there's gonna be any repatriation, how far is it just from Dubai”, Ms Khumalo added. “Because there are other people that were meant to go to Dubai that are still stuck in a lot of places.”
Global aviation in ‘a mess’ as hundreds of thousands of passengers disrupted
11:43 , Holly EvansAirspace closures in the Middle East are disrupting hundreds of thousands of airline passengers globally, with a leading aviation consultant describing the situation as “a mess”.
Several Middle Eastern airports act as hubs for passengers travelling between Europe and the continents of Asia and Australia.
Analytics company Cirium said 1,579 out of 3,990 flights scheduled to operate to the Middle East on Sunday were cancelled.
This included 747 to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and 285 to Qatar.
About half a million passengers use airports in Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi each day.
UK-based aviation consultant John Strickland said the disruption was “pretty unprecedented”.
He said: “The Gulf carriers are now so fundamental to much of global aviation, not least east-west flows between Europe and Asia.
“I can’t recall a situation – other than the pandemic – where we’ve had these Gulf hubs out of action in this way before.
“We’ve had other conflicts in the region, but not, I think, really in the scale of military conflict or scale of activity that we have now with the Gulf carriers.”
Oil surges and stock markets fall after strikes in Iran - what does it mean for your money and pension?
11:40 , Holly EvansIt is becoming increasingly common for geopolitical incidents to have a direct impact on people’s finances and this looks certain to happen again after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, sparking conflict across the Middle East.
The latest escalation comes after a year in which US president Donald Trump instigated tariffs on nations around the world during the prolonged tension between Iran and Israel. Along with the invasion by Russia on Ukraine – which affected commodity prices – these large-scale cases of conflict are having a real impact on people’s pockets across the globe.
In the face of the most recent developments, with Iran launching strikes on US and UK ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the price of oil has risen nearly 10 per cent to its highest level in around a year.
Read the full analysis from our business correspondent Karl Matchett here:
Oil surges after Iran strikes –what does it mean for petrol prices and your money?
How important is RAF Akrotiri?
11:26 , Holly EvansRAF Akrotiri is the largest RAF base outside the UK, with more than 3,500 personnel, supporting UK operations in the Middle East.
Typhoon jets based at Akrotiri shot down Iranian drones fired at Israel in April 2024.
It has been used as a base to enable jets to carry out strikes and patrols in Syria and Iraq as part of Operation Shader.
The base has also supported evacuation flights, including helping people leave Sudan during fighting in 2023.
Two unmanned drones heading towards RAF base in Cyprus intercepted
11:24 , Holly EvansA translation of a statement posted on social media by Cypriot government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said: “Two unmanned aerial vehicles that were moving towards the direction of the British Bases at Akrotiri were confronted in time.”
Breaking: Trump says US was 'very disappointed' in Starmer
11:11 , Holly EvansDonald Trump said he was “very disappointed” Sir Keir Starmer initially blocked the US from using British military bases to target Iran, adding that the Prime Minister took “far too long” to change his mind.
“That’s probably never happened between our countries before,” he told The Telegraph, adding: “It sounds like he was worried about the legality.”
The UK had denied the US permission to conduct strikes from bases such as Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands, citing international law.
He added: “All of a sudden [Mauritius] was claiming ownership. He should have fought it out and owned it or make him take it, if you want to know the truth. But no, we were very disappointed in Keir.”
On Sunday evening, Starmer relented and has now allowed the US to carry out strikes on Iran for “limited defensive purposes”.
British woman describes ‘shock’ of seeing and hearing strikes in Dubai
11:04 , Dan HaygarthA British woman living in Dubai has described the shock of seeing and hearing suspected missile strikes when Iran’s retaliation in the Middle East began.
Originally from Bristol, Chloe Collingridge, 27, has lived in Dubai for two years, working in sales. She told The Independent: “I think at the beginning we were all really shocked and everyone was just like, get home, stay inside, and, just wanting to look after each other, really.
“It is weird to say that you are getting more used to it, but this is the third day now where we've had it.”
Ms Collingridge said that the British community in Dubai has pulled together, adding they feel “looked after” by the UAE’s government.
Tourists have been stranded as flights are grounded but Ms Collingridge said she is currently working from home and most people living in Dubai are staying within their apartments.
About the strikes, she added: “We can hear it. So even if you can't necessarily see them from your apartment, you can still hear them.
“But we have seen them, kind of across the skies and from different parts of Dubai, they're being seen, depending on where the missiles are headed to.
“But every time we hear a bang, we also kind of take comfort in the fact that we know that that's being intercepted and that they're they're not getting through because the defence system is unbelievable here.”
Is it safe to travel to Dubai and Abu Dhabi?
10:39 , Holly EvansFollowing an escalation of conflict between Israel, the US and Iran this weekend, closed airspaces and grounded flights have disrupted travel plans in the UAE, with British nationals told to “shelter in place”.
A series of explosions has been reported in Dubai and Abu Dhabi as American and Israeli airstrikes continue in the region.
The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) has advised against all but essential travel to the UAE as the regional escalation poses “significant security risks”.
Here’s the latest travel advice for the UAE, plus all the key questions and answers.
Read the full article here:
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Is it safe to travel to Dubai and Abu Dhabi? Latest UAE travel advice
Sirens sound at RAF base in Cyprus
10:32 , Holly EvansSirens went off at RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus shortly after. midday on Monday, hours after it was hit by an unmanned drone, Cyprus's state TV CyBC reported.
In a live broadcast CyBC reported sirens going off at the base, and aircraft taking off from the facility close to the southern city of Limassol.
UK prepares emergency evacuation plan for Britons stuck in Middle East
10:23 , Holly EvansThe UK has launched a huge operation to support hundreds of thousands of British nationals in the Middle East as Iranian missile strikes rock the region.
Officials at the Foreign Office are understood to be working on plans for potential evacuation routes should airspace in the Gulf remain closed.
Iran has launched strikes at countries across the Middle East in retaliation to US-Israeli airstrikes that have killed hundreds of people in major cities, including Tehran. Three US service members have been killed and five seriously wounded as part of US president Donald Trump’s military action against Iran, while several people have been killed in Israel.
Read the full article here:
UK prepares emergency evacuation plan for Britons stuck in Middle East
Calls for Starmer to address parliament today to explain ‘unclear’ position
10:18 , Holly EvansShadow defence secretary James Cartlidge has called for Sir Keir Starmer to address the Commons today to explain Britain’s position amid escalating tensions with Iran.
The Conservative MP said the prime minister had landed the UK in “the worst of both words” and was “sitting on the fence”.
“If I’m confused on what his position is, I wonder what the public thinks,” he told Sky News. “The prime minister needs to be much clearer now about his position.”
He added: "We need the prime minister in parliament this afternoon...explaining exactly what his position is. Because as far as I can see it's clear as mud."
easyJet cancels Cyprus flights on Monday after RAF base on island hit
10:12 , Simon CalderBritain's biggest budget airline, easyJet, has grounded six flights between the UK and Cyprus after an RAF base on the island was attacked.
A spokesperson said: “Due to the events overnight affecting the RAF base in Akrotiri in Cyprus, as a precaution, three return flights between Paphos and Larnaca and the UK today will not be operating.“
Flights from 3 March are currently operating as planned but we would advise customers due to travel to and from Cyprus over the coming days to check our flight tracker for the latest information.
“We are doing all we can to minimise the impact for our customers and are providing options for rebooking including on other airlines or a refund as well as hotel accommodation and meals for those who require them.
“The safety of our customers and crew is our highest priority and we continue to closely monitor the security situation in the region."
Kemi Badenoch increases pressure on Starmer to fully enter Trump’s war on Iran
10:09 , Holly EvansTory leader Kemi Badenoch is due to give a speech later this morning but has teed things off by renewing demands that Keir Starmer goes beyond defensive measures and commits the UK to a full part in Donald Trump’s war on Iran.
In a statement on X, she said: “We knew on Saturday that our allies in Canada and Australia had backed the action taken by the United States and Israel. Yet Keir Starmer still couldn’t tell the British people where our country stood or whether the UK would allow the use of our own airbases.
“It took Iranian missiles hitting allies in the Middle East and a UK base in Cyprus before Starmer finally approved the use of our bases, and this morning the Foreign Secretary still can’t say if the Labour government supports the action against Iran.
“Iran’s regime has funded international terrorism, attacked British nationals, brutally repressed its own citizens calling for freedom, and continues to try and develop a nuclear weapon. It should not be beyond our government to say they welcome the US-Israel taking action.”
But she claimed he is in too weak a position to take the action required.
She said: “Particularly in the wake of the by-election last week, the Labour government are too scared to say what is obvious to the rest of us. In towns and cities across Britain there are large blocs of voters – that Labour see as their voters – whose political loyalties are swayed by conflicts in the Middle East, not the British national interest.
“So we watch our prime minister and cabinet ministers squirm and obfuscate in interviews, because they cannot say what needs to be said because too many of their voters do not want to hear it.
“It isn’t ‘international law’ or principle. It’s pure, partisan, political calculations from a party that has surrendered its right to govern our country. I will always act in our national interest.”
Diane Abbott accuses Starmer of ‘covering for US-Israeli bombing’
10:01 , Holly EvansDiane Abbott has accused Sir Keir Starmer of “trying to cover for US-Israeli bombing” after the prime minister gave the US permission to launch military strikes against Iran from British bases.
Responding to Sir Keir’s announcement that American forces would be allowed to use British bases, the Labour MP wrote on X: “This is an illegal war of aggression, just as Iraq was."
While Starmer is trying to cover for US-Israeli bombing, the US Pentagon has told Congress that there is no evidence that Iran was about to attack. Once again it will be civilians in the region who pay the price.”
This is an illegal war of aggression, just as Iraq was.
— Diane Abbott (@HackneyAbbott) March 2, 2026
While Starmer is trying to cover for US-Israeli bombing, the US Pentagon has told Congress that there is no evidence that Iran was about to attack.
Once again it will be civilians in the region who pay the price. https://t.co/HiDQprOE3A
The UK has been dragged into Trump’s Iran war. But what will Starmer do next?
09:53 , Holly EvansKeir Starmer’s partial U-turn last night allowing the Americans to use British RAF bases for defensive purposes against Iran may well be seen as the first stage of Britain being sucked into a war in the Middle East.
But in the crucial hours ahead for the prime minister, the ghosts of the premierships of Tony Blair and the late Labour prime minister Harold Wilson hang over his difficult decisions.
The lessons of Labour’s recent history will explain why Sir Keir will not be able to take the UK into war – even if he wanted to.
Read the full analysis from our political editor David Maddox here:
The UK has been dragged into Trump’s Iran war. But what will Starmer do next?
Ex-MI6 boss criticises Starmer’s response to allowing US to use British bases
09:47 , Athena StavrouThe former chief of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service has criticised Sir Keir Starmer’s approach to allowing the US launch military strikes against Iran from British bases.
Sir Richard Dearlove told Times Radio that the prime minister should have been clear on allowing the US to use the bases “from the start”.
"I can't believe that the government didn't take a clear position right from the start,” he said.“And to change their mind within 24 hours, and engage in this sophistry as to what the difference is between offence and defence.
“I just don't get it. I mean, they could have been more clear cut right from the word go."
Over 100,000 Brits register presence in the Middle East
09:42 , Holly EvansForeign Secretary Yvette Cooper indicated that more than 100,000 Britons had now registered their presence in the Middle East.
She told BBC Breakfast: “The latest figure I have from this morning is we have 102,000 people (who) have responded to our proposal to ask people to register their presence so we know where they are, particularly in these Gulf countries that have been targeted, so we know where they are and so that we can get them rapid information.
“In many of these countries the airspace is currently closed because of the Iranian attacks, this is deeply stressful, obviously, for people because we’re talking about a lot of people who are holidaymakers, who were transit passengers just passing through or people on business visits to the region and who we want to make sure can get safely home.”
FTSE impacted as oil prices surge amid growing conflict
09:29 , Holly EvansLondon’s FTSE 100 Index has opened lower as oil prices surged due to growing conflict between Iran and US-Israeli forces.
The blue chip share index fell more than 1 per cent at one stage just after opening, but soon pared back to stand 0.6 per cent lower, down 69.1 points at 10841.4.
Oil prices jumped as the conflict intensified in the Middle East, with Brent crude up more than 9 per cent.
Scots teacher describes ‘loud bangs’ over beach in Dubai amid missile alert
09:25 , Holly EvansA Scottish teacher living in Dubai has told how she heard “loud bangs” from suspected missile explosions when Iran’s retaliatory strikes around the Middle East began.
Felicity Flanagan has been living in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates since August.
She told BBC Radio Scotland’s Breakfast programme: “My experience first started on Saturday, around about midday.
“My friends and I were having a really nice time down at the beach on the Palm when we heard two or three loud bangs.
“When that went off we had no idea what it was, so there was obviously uncertainty in the air and we didn’t know what to do.
“Moments later, we actually saw what we believed to be shrapnel from the missile then fall into the water in front of us.”
She said she had followed advice from the British embassy and stayed at home since.
Ms Flanagan said: “We got a text message from the (UAE) government with a loud siren through our phones, warning us to stay sheltered but also to stay away from windows.”
She said she then sheltered in the bathroom with her boyfriend and one of his work colleagues.
Cooper: It was 'not in UK interests' to support US attack on Iran over the weekend
09:18 , Holly EvansIt was "not in the UK's interests" to support the US attack on Iran over the weekend, the foreign secretary argued.
It comes after Sir Keir Starmer announced that, in a dramatic U-turn, he had granted permission for US forces to use UK bases for defensive strikes as the conflict continues to escalate following strikes carried out by America and Israel on Saturday.
Yvette Cooper told Times Radio: “I think our guiding issue has been about UK interests and about what we think is the right way forward.
“And our assessment was that it was not in the UK’s interests to provide support for the action that took place over the weekend.
“But it is in UK interests and it is the right thing to do – given how many British citizens that we have in the region – to support this defensive action now.”
No one will mourn death of Ayatollah Khamenei, Yvette Cooper says
09:15 , Holly EvansForeign Secretary Yvette Cooper has said no one would mourn the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei but added the UK was not involved with what had happened.
Asked if the UK supports the way in which Iran’s de facto leader was killed, she told LBC: “No, that is not something that we were involved in.”
Asked if the Government supports the end result, Ms Copper said: “I don’t think anyone would mourn what has happened, because this is obviously part of a regime that has been not only brutally pursuing its own citizens, but also supporting terrorist activity across the region, destabilising activity through proxies across the region.
“But it is not something that we were involved in.”
Starmer allows US to use British bases to target Iran
09:09 , Holly EvansLate on Sunday, the Prime Minister said he had agreed to a US request to use British bases to protect UK nationals and allies in the region, accusing Iran of pursuing a “scorched earth strategy”.
Sir Keir said British forces would not be directly involved in the strikes, and the bases would only be used for the “specific and limited defensive purpose” of targeting missile storage depots and launchers being used to attack Iran’s neighbours.
He said: “We have taken the decision to accept this request, to prevent Iran firing missiles across the region, killing innocent civilians, putting British lives at risk, and hitting countries that have not been involved.”
It is not clear which bases will be involved, but Donald Trump has previously indicated Diego Garcia – one of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean – and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire could be used to attack Iran.
Sir Keir’s decision followed a day of conversations with regional leaders, during which it is understood they asked the UK to do more to protect them from Iranian missiles.
The Prime Minister insisted the decision was fully in line with international law, and the Government has published a summary of its legal position setting out that it is acting in “collective self-defence”.
The UK will also continue to carry out the defensive operations that have already seen British forces shoot down Iranian drones threatening northern Iraq and Qatar.
UK is not at war with Iran after RAF base hit by drone, minister says
09:05 , Holly EvansThe UK is not at war with Iran, a Government minister has said, in the wake of an attack on an RAF base in Cyprus.
Middle East minister Hamish Falconer told BBC Radio Scotland an “unmanned drone” had hit the runway at RAF Akrotiri and inflicted “relatively limited damage”.
But asked if the UK was now at war, he said: “The UK is not at war.“Let me be really clear, the UK took a deliberate decision not to be part of the first wave of strikes conducted by the United States and Israeli governments.
“But in the face of reckless attacks from Iran on a whole range of allies in the region – those are Gulf allies in which there are many, many UK nationals, probably 300,000 – and in response to requests from those Gulf allies… we took the decision, as the Prime Minister announced last night, to support the US’s request to use our bases in order to conduct defensive actions.
“There are ballistic missile launches in Iran, pointed at the Gulf and it is vital that those missile launches are taken out in the face of these completely reckless attacks.”
