Four UK websites named as potential Iran targets as Middle East tensions escalate
A former nuclear protection specialist has warned four UK military sites could be potential Iran targets through cyber or unconventional means, though attacks on UK soil remain highly unlikely
Gene Sticco weighed in on the “unpredictable” and “deteriorating” situation(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
A former nuclear protection specialist has issued warnings that four UK locations could become potential targets for Iran. The US and Israel persist with striking Iran through a series of missile attacks following the initial campaign on Saturday (February 28).
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has dismissed allowing British bases for strikes against Iran, stressing that the UK doesn’t back “regime change from the skies”, though this doesn’t guarantee Britain will stay completely uninvolved. He pledged to allow UK bases for defensive operations protecting regional allies facing revenge attacks.
This comes after an incident where RAF Akrotiri, a British military facility on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, was hit by a one-way attack drone, whilst sites in the popular British destination of Dubai also faced bombardment. It’s now been suggested Iran is “very likely” to escalate its attacks on UK assets.
Gene Sticco, a former United States Air Force nuclear protection specialist who previously oversaw security operations for energy giants Shell and BHP, has remarked on the “unpredictable” and “deteriorating” situation unfolding across the Gulf.
Gene, author of Unconventional: A True Story of Oil, Intelligence and Consequence, a book chronicling his experiences in the sector, claimed that Starmer’s decision has “crossed a line that Iran will view as participation”. He acknowledged that an assault on British territory is extremely improbable, particularly given Iran’s “conventional military reach doesn’t extend to the British mainland with any reliability”, reports Wales Online.
Nevertheless, should an incident take place, there are four possible targets. Gene explained: “In terms of UK-based military infrastructure that could be targeted through unconventional or cyber means, the obvious ones are RAF Fairford if it’s being used for US operations, the naval facilities at Portsmouth and Devonport, and GCHQ in Cheltenham, though that last one would be a cyber target rather than a kinetic one.”
Situated on the Gloucestershire-Wiltshire border in the Cotswolds, RAF Fairford has previously been employed by the US for long-distance heavy bombing missions and is understood to be prepared for deployment in the Iran crisis.
Portsmouth is home to HMNB Portsmouth, where almost two-thirds of the Royal Navy’s surface fleet are based, including aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.
HMNB Devonport in Plymouth stands as Western Europe’s most extensive naval facility, accommodating amphibious vessels, research and survey craft, plus Royal Navy frigates. Meanwhile, the classified GCHQ (Government Communication Headquarters) in Cheltenham operates as Britain’s leading intelligence, security, and cyber organisation.
Whilst Gene considers a comprehensive strike on Britain improbable, he remains “more concerned” about clandestine activities. “Iran has maintained intelligence networks in the UK and across Europe for decades,” he clarified.
“If Iran were to attempt something on UK soil, it would most likely take the form of a cyberattack on critical infrastructure, an attack on an Israeli or Jewish community target, or an attempt to strike a military or government-affiliated location.
“The UK terror threat level will almost certainly be raised if it hasn’t been already. But I want to be clear: the probability of a large-scale conventional military strike on the UK mainland remains very low. The threat is asymmetric, covert, and harder to see coming.”
He went on to detail how British citizens can stay safe amid escalating global tensions. Gene added: “For ordinary British citizens, the safest posture is the same one that applied during previous elevated threat periods: stay informed, stay aware of your surroundings, and follow government guidance.
“The reality is that the UK’s domestic security services, MI5 and counter-terrorism policing, are very good at disrupting plots before they materialise. The infrastructure is there. The people are capable.
“But no system is perfect, and the sheer volume of intelligence traffic generated by a crisis of this scale stretches resources.”
As of March 2, 102,000 UK citizens had registered their presence in the Middle East with the UK Government, but Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has suggested that there could be as many as 300,000 in the Gulf.
Gene emphasised that those in the region are the most pressing worry, urging individuals to “get out if you can”. With the Government reportedly drawing up evacuation plans, he urged people to “take the offer” should it materialise.
