Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper: Making decisions based on what the US do or say doesn't feel like sensible foreign policy'

"The joint US-Israeli bombardment of Iran is ongoing and the mood here is solemn. News sites show oil facilities and desalination plants ablaze in both Iran and Gulf states. Black clouds rise from residential areas across Lebanon, where Israel say they are striking the militant group Hezbollah. President Masoud Pezeshkian's apology to the Gulf states for firing more than 2,000 retaliatory Iranian drones and missiles, was undermined by continued bombardment and indicated a split in the country's leadership."

"Cooper, UK foreign secretary since last September, is on a call to the shocked and angry Omani foreign minister. Oman had been mediating negotiations with Iran before the US aborted peace talks. It's one of multiple calls she is fielding from Gulf allies, while her officials airlift Britons from affected areas."

"Donald Trump continues to snipe at Keir Starmer for refusing to allow US troops to use British bases to launch initial strikes, saying the UK needn't send aircraft carriers to a war we've already won, but the two have spoken for the first time since the war began."

The UK Foreign Office operates under heightened security as US-Israeli military operations target Iran and regional facilities. Over 1,800 people have been killed, including civilians in Iran. Iran's President apologized to Gulf states for retaliatory strikes, revealing internal leadership divisions. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper handles multiple calls from Gulf allies, particularly an angry Omani foreign minister whose mediation efforts were disrupted when the US aborted peace talks. British officials evacuate UK citizens from affected areas. President Trump criticizes UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for refusing to allow US troops to use British bases for initial strikes, comparing him unfavorably to Winston Churchill. Despite tensions, Trump and Starmer have spoken for the first time since the conflict began.

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