UK Deploys Planes to Protect Interests and Allies

Middle Eastern outlets describe Britain as granting the US important military backing while trying to draw red lines on how that support is used. They highlight Starmer’s insistence that US bombers are not using UK bases in Cyprus and that London will not join direct strikes on Iran. Regional commentators expect local governments to watch closely whether British facilities are used only against missile threats or for wider attacks inside Iran.

• •Keir Starmer confirms US forces can use British bases to hit Iranian missile depots and launch sites.
• •British bases in Cyprus are described as off-limits for US bombing runs against Iran.
• •UK leaders stress that any use of their bases must be framed as defensive against Iranian missiles.
• •Regional governments track how often and how widely US forces operate from British facilities.
• •Any sign that British-backed operations expand beyond missile targets could alarm governments across the Middle East.