The UK government has reaffirmed its commitment to defensive military support amid rising tensions with Iran, while stressing it will not be drawn into a broader Middle East conflict.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper made the position clear following reports that Iran targeted a joint US-UK military facility in the Chagos Islands.
According to reports by The Wall Street Journal and CNN, two ballistic missiles were fired at the strategic base on Diego Garcia, though neither reached their intended target.
One of the missiles reportedly failed mid-flight, while the other was intercepted by a US warship.
While the exact timing of the incident remains unclear, it is believed to have occurred before the UK granted the United States access to its bases for operations against Iranian-linked threats in the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the escalation, Cooper emphasized that the UK’s role remains strictly defensive.
She noted that Britain would continue to protect its interests against what she described as “reckless Iranian threats,” including risks to international shipping and allied Gulf nations.
“We will provide defensive support against these threats, but we have not been involved in offensive action and will not be drawn into a wider conflict,” she said, echoing the stance of Keir Starmer.
Questions have also been raised about Iran’s missile capabilities, as Diego Garcia lies roughly 2,350 miles from Iranian territory, a range some analysts believe may exceed Tehran’s current reach.
The United States military has declined to comment on the reported incident.
The UK government reiterated its call for a swift resolution to the crisis, warning that prolonged tensions could undermine regional stability and global security.
