UK Deploys More RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Escalating Iran-Israel Conflict

(The Post News)- Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced that additional RAF jets and military assets are being deployed to the Middle East, following Iran’s warning that it will target UK, US, and French bases if those countries assist Israel in countering Iranian strikes.

Speaking during a visit to Canada, Starmer confirmed that the UK is reinforcing its presence in the region, with more fast jets and refuelling aircraft being sent from British bases. These deployments are intended to provide “contingency support” amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran.

The UK already has a military presence in the region as part of Operation Shader, the British mission to combat ISIS. The new deployments mark a significant expansion of Britain’s military readiness in response to the deteriorating security situation.

“These are obviously operational decisions and the situation is ongoing and developing,” Starmer told reporters. “We’ve already been moving assets to the region, including jets, and that is for contingency support across the region. So that is happening.”

The Prime Minister emphasised the UK’s desire to avoid escalation. “Our constant message is de-escalate, and therefore everything we’re doing, all discussions we’re having, are to do with de-escalation,” he said. However, when pressed on whether the UK would rule out direct military involvement, Starmer said, “I’m not going to get into that.”

The latest tensions were triggered by Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear and military facilities, which the Israeli government said were necessary to prevent Iran from advancing toward a nuclear weapon. Experts and US officials have maintained, however, that there is no conclusive evidence that Iran is actively pursuing a bomb.

According to Iranian state media, at least 60 people, including 20 children, were killed in an Israeli attack on a residential complex in Tehran. Iran’s ambassador to the UN reported a higher death toll of 78, with over 320 people wounded.

In response, Iran launched a barrage of drone and missile attacks targeting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The strikes killed at least three people, injured dozens, and sent civilians fleeing to shelters.

While both the UK and US have denied involvement in Israel’s military operation, reports suggest that Israel may not have given its allies advance notice of the strikes. This may have been a reaction to the UK’s recent sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers.

Sir Keir said he had a “good and constructive discussion” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, focused on regional security and Israel’s safety. He declined to comment on whether the UK had been informed of the attack in advance.

A Cobra emergency meeting was held by senior UK officials on Friday to discuss the developments. Although another meeting was not scheduled for Saturday, Whitehall officials continued to monitor the situation closely.

The escalation is expected to dominate discussions at the upcoming G7 summit, where world leaders will assess the threat of broader regional conflict and coordinate responses aimed at de-escalation.