The UK government says it is 'ready to defend itself' after Iran's Revolutionary Guard warned that bases used by the US to launch operations are 'legitimate targets'.
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Key facts
- The UK government said it is 'ready to defend itself' following an Iranian military warning.
- Iran's IRGC claimed a base in south-west England was used by the US to launch bombing missions.
- The IRGC said any bases used by the US were 'legitimate targets'.
- The UK has allowed the US to launch 'defensive' operations from British bases hosting American planes.
- The UK has refused to assist in offensive operations against Iran.
The UK government has said the country is “ready to defend itself” after Iran’s military issued a warning that any bases being used by the United States were “legitimate targets”, according to the Guardian.
The warning came from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which claimed that a base in south-west England had been used by the US to launch bombing missions. On that basis, the IRGC described such facilities as legitimate targets.
Since the start of the US war on Iran, the UK has allowed American forces to launch what have been described as “defensive” operations from British bases that host US planes, the Guardian reported.
However, the UK has refused to help with offensive operations, drawing a distinction between supporting defensive activity and directly participating in strikes against Iran.
The government’s statement that the UK is prepared to defend itself signals its response to the escalating rhetoric, though the sources provide no further detail on any specific defensive measures being taken.
Why it matters
The exchange raises the prospect that UK territory could be drawn more directly into the conflict between the US and Iran. The distinction the UK draws between hosting defensive and offensive operations is central to how much risk it may face.
Frequently asked questions
What did Iran threaten?
Iran's IRGC warned that any bases being used by the US were 'legitimate targets', claiming a base in south-west England had been used to launch US bombing missions.
How has the UK responded?
The UK government said the country is 'ready to defend itself' following the Iranian warning.
What role have UK bases played?
According to the Guardian, the UK has allowed the US to launch 'defensive' operations from British bases hosting American planes, but has refused to help with offensive operations.
Timeline
- UK ‘ready to defend itself’ after Iranian threat over US bases
The Guardian World: IRGC claims base in south-west England was used by US to launch bombing missions, making it ‘legitimate target’ Middle East crisis live – latest updates The government has said the UK is “ready to defend itself” after Iran’s military warned that any bases being used by the US wer