Britain has no plans to defend Israel from Iran retaliation

Yahoo

13-06-2025

Britain has no plans to defend Israel as Iran retaliates against Israeli strikes.
The UK was not involved in the attacks on Tehran's nuclear and military sites and is not involved in helping to intercept Iranian retaliation like it did before, defence sources said.
The situation could change, however, sources said.
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 refuelling tanker played a part in attempts to prevent further escalation, but that the jets did not engage any targets.
Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, has urged both sides to use restraint and return to diplomacy. David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, called it a 'very dangerous moment'.
The UK's decision not to defend Israel could change throughout the day, The Telegraph understands.
Britain could send extra forces to its RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus, where Typhoon jets, involved in previous operations to protect Israel, are stationed.
As part of Operation 'Rising Lion', Israel assassinated the head of Iran's armed forces as it carried out what it described as a 'pre-emptive strike' on the regime's nuclear programmes overnight.
Gen Mohammad Bagheri, Iran's chief of the military staff, was killed along with Hossein Salami, the leader of Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Other top commanders and at least six nuclear scientists were killed, some of whom were targeted in their homes.
Israel's military said it used 200 warplanes to strike 100 targets, including Natanz, Tehran's main enrichment facility, where a series of explosions filled the morning sky.
The US confirmed it was not involved in the attack, although Donald Trump revealed he had advance knowledge of the operation.
Israel is bracing for a retaliatory attack, which Tehran said would be 'harsh and decisive'. So far, over 100 drones have been fired in the opening shots of its retaliation.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister, said the military campaign will continue for 'as many days as it takes', raising fears of all-out war in the region.
Lauding Israel's success, he said: 'We targeted Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz. We targeted Iran's leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb. We also struck at the heart of Iran's ballistic missile program.'
Israel has declared a state of emergency across the entire country ahead of the expected response, which General Eyal Zamir, its military chief, warned would be worse than 'what we are used to'.
The UK's relationship with Israel plunged to its worst state in decades last month as Israel expanded its military operations in Gaza and refused to lift restrictions on aid to the war-torn Strip.
David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, halted negotiations over a new free trade deal in late May, calling Israel's treatment of Palestinians an 'affront to the values of British people'.
Labour's souring relationship with Netanyahu's government followed a decision last year to suspend some weapons export licenses to Israel over fears the equipment would be used to breach international law.
Israel's attacks across Iran are drawing growing international criticism, with Turkey demanding Israel 'put an immediate end to its aggressive actions' and Saudi Arabia condemning the 'blatant Israeli aggression'.
Oman, which was due to hold nuclear negotiations between Iran and the US this weekend, described the attacks as a 'dangerous and reckless escalation'.
Antonio Guterres, the United Nations secretary-general, has called on both Israel and Iran to exercise 'maximum restraint' and avoid 'at all costs a descent into deeper conflict'.
Despite the calls to de-escalate, Israel said on Friday morning that its warplanes were still attacking key sites across Iran.
In an address to the nation, Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, said Israel had 'sealed for itself a bitter and painful destiny' and a response would come soon.
More follows. This is a breaking news story...
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