War in the Middle East: Britain's involvement so far, from sea to sky

"The UK refused to join the US and Israel's airstrikes on the Iranian regime and its missile launch sites when they began a week ago, drawing the ire of Trump and the right wing of British politics. However, last week the government confirmed that RAF Eurofighter Typhoon and US-made F-35 jets were used to back up the safety of its allies in the Gulf in defensive operations in effect to shoot down drones."

"Starmer told a press conference on Thursday that four more Typhoon jets were being sent to Qatar to support air defences in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates after Iranian drones and missiles struck the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has separately said it has flown missions to protect Bahrain and Jordan."

"The US had asked Britain before it launched the strikes whether it could use Fairford and the base in Diego Garcia, which is subject to the controversial deal to give the archipelago to Mauritius and lease it back, for its attacks. However, the UK rejected this. Starmer later changed his mind on not being involved as Iran struck its neighbours, many of them British allies, in the Gulf in retaliation."

The UK declined to participate in US and Israeli airstrikes against Iran, prompting criticism from Trump and British right-wing politicians. However, when Iran launched retaliatory drone and missile attacks on Gulf allies including the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait, the UK shifted its position. RAF Eurofighter Typhoons and F-35 jets engaged in defensive operations, shooting down Iranian drones. Prime Minister Starmer announced deployment of four additional Typhoon jets to Qatar and authorized use of British airbases at Fairford and Diego Garcia for US military operations. The RAF conducted counter-drone missions protecting coalition forces in Iraq, Bahrain, and Jordan. Additional helicopter assets were deployed to Cyprus and the region to strengthen air defenses against Iranian threats.

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