Donald Trump said he was “very disappointed” Sir Keir Starmer initially blocked the US from using British military bases to target Iran.
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.
He said: “That’s probably never happened between our countries before.
“It sounds like he was worried about the legality.”
Starmer is facing growing pressure from opposition leaders to fully support Trump’s action against Iran, an attack on a Royal Air Force airfield in Cyprus, where an “unmanned drone” had hit the runway at RAF Akrotiri.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: “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.”
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
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.”
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:
Farage met Labour activist accused of extremism by Reform
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:
Your rights as Middle East cruises disrupted by US-Iran war
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:
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:
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.”