UK ‘ready to defend itself’ as BAE boss warns Britain coming into ‘most threatening time’
Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has warned the UK Government that it is “complicity in the crime of aggression and war crimes” in US as Britain “stands ready 24/7 to defend itself”
Andy Burnham has continued Starmer’s agreement for US to use British bases
The UK Government has said Britain “stands ready 24/7 to defend itself” after Iran claimed the nation would “bear responsibility” for allowing the US to use their bases. The warning from Iran comes as the boss of British multinational aerospace, arms security manufacture claims the county is entering the “most threatening time”.
Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) accused the Government of “complicity in the crime of aggression and war crimes” by allowing the US to carry out “unlawful attacks”.
While the Government has refused to take part in offensive campaigns against Iran, it has allowed the US to launch defensive strikes from British bases hosting American personnel.
Trump has continued his strikes on Iran after peace talks collapsed (Image: Getty)
Iran’s comments also come after the Government moved to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a threat to national security. Those carrying out acts of sabotage on behalf of the group will face life imprisonment.
In a statement, the MFA said that anyone who supports “military aggression against Iran will bear responsibility for the consequences and repercussions of its decision”.
US President Donald Trump has carried out 13 consecutive nights of strikes against targets in Iran, indicating potential further escalation.
Andy Burnham, the new Prime Minister, has maintained Sir Keir Starmer’s agreement to allow the US to use British bases, including RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
US forces launching what the military says are precision strikes against Iran (Image: US Central Command (CENTCOM)/AFP via Getty Images)
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said: “Our armed forces are ready to keep the United Kingdom safe from any kind of attacks, whether it’s on our soil or from abroad. The UK stands ready 24/7 to defend itself.
“This includes through operating a layered approach to air and missile defence, provided by Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force assets equipped with a range of advanced capabilities, working closely with our Nato allies.
“The UK’s approach to the conflict remains the same – we are committed to defending our people, our interests and our allies, acting in accordance with international law and not getting drawn into the wider conflict.”
It comes as the chief executive of BAE Systems has warned that defence spending in the UK “falls well short” of what is required.
Charles Woodburn described the current climate as “the most threatening time I’ve seen” and warned of the advances made by Russia before and during the war with Ukraine.
CEO of BAE Systems Charles Woodburn said ‘this is by far the most threatening time I’ve seen’(Image: Tayfun Salci/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock)
The Government announced plans to increase defence spending by an additional £15 billion in June but then defence secretary John Healey resigned because of inadequate military funding.
However, Mr Woodburn told the BBC the extra funding still “falls well short of what is needed to protect the country”.
He said: “This is by far the most threatening time I’ve seen, Even when I joined the company in 2016 I was amazed at what we saw Russian submarines doing, the cyber attacks.
“I think that’s come a long way sadly as a result of the Ukraine conflict we’re much more aware of the proximity of a hot war in Europe.”
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