Keir Starmer is set to update the nation on the situation in the Middle East at a press conference from Downing Street.
The Prime Minister is expected to take questions around 2pm from No9 as the conflict in the region rages on and the US and Israel continuing to blitz the Iranian regime. It comes after the UK gave permission for the US to use British bases military bases – but only for “defensive” strikes on Iranian missile sites to protect countries in the Middle East.
His speech also comes as it was revealed the first government evacuation flight for 180 Brits stranded in the Middle East failed to take off. It had been scheduled to depart from Oman’s capital Muscat late on Wednesday – but remained grounded overnight because of technical issues, the Foreign Office said. It is expected to take off later today.
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Iran crisis further strains the Trump-Starmer relationship
Donald Trump has stepped up his attacks on Keir Starmer this week after the UK refused to join the initial wave of US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Mr Starmer refused to allow use of British military bases for bombing raids at the weekend, but on Sunday agreed to let America use Diego Garcia, in the Indian Ocean, and RAF Fairford, to target Iran’s missile sites. It came after Tehran fired off retaliatory strikes at Israel and a raft of Gulf countries.
Mr Trump vented that the PM was ‘no Winston Churchill’ in an Oval Office rant and gave a number of interviews criticising the UK.
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Rachel Reeves addresses energy bill spike fears over Iran
Rachel Reeves has insisted Britain’s economy can “weather” the impact of the Iran conflict as fears mount over the impact on family finances.
The Chancellor’s Spring Statement on Tuesday was overshadowed by war raging in the Middle East as experts warned the conflict could upend her economic plans.
But Ms Reeves told the Mirror she had stabilised the public finances after the mess left by the Tories and the UK was in a stronger position to face the turbulence as borrowing costs have fallen.
UK resupplying air defence missiles after Typhoon jets defended Qatar
The UK is resupplying its air defence missiles on Thursday, according to a minister, following a mission overnight.
Hamish Falconer told the Commons: “Further missions were flown overnight with Typhoons defending Qatar, in particular, and F35s defending our other regional partners. We are resupplying our air defence missiles today.
“Wildcat helicopters with anti-drone capabilities will be in the eastern Mediterranean this week. HMS Dragon will shortly be deployed to the Mediterranean.
“As the Prime Minister has set out, RAF Akrotiri is not being used by US bombers.”
More than 4,000 people escaped to the UK yesterday from the Middle East
More than 4,000 people arrived in the UK from five different countries in the Middle East on Wednesday, Hamish Falconer said.
The Foreign Office minister told MPs: “I must be clear, we’re tackling a consular challenge on a scale not seen since Covid.
“There are no instant solutions for moving such numbers of people, especially while airspace restrictions remain in place, but I am determined that people get home as safely and as swiftly as possible.
“In total, over 4,000 people arrived in the UK from five different countries in the region yesterday.”
Defence Secretary John Healey holds meetings in Cyprus as conflict escalates
UK Defence Secretary John Healey met with his Cypriot counterpart Vasilis Palmas “to discuss how the UK is further reinforcing our air defences to support our shared security”, the PM’s spokesman told reporters earlier.
The spokesman rejected accusations the Government failed to have enough military assets in the Middle East after RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus was hit by a drone.
Cyprus’s high commissioner to the UK said a British military presence to defend the island was “the least we expect” in a criticism of the UK’s approach to managing the conflict.
Overnight on Monday, a hangar at RAF Akrotiri was hit by an Iranian-made Shahed drone, which was launched from Beirut in Lebanon, according to Cypriot officials.
Two further drones detected on Monday were shot down by British warplanes, which took off from Akrotiri.
Flight fails to leave Oman
Earlier it was revealed the first government evacuation flight for 180 Brits stranded in the Middle East failed to take off as the crisis deepened.
It had been scheduled to depart from Oman’s capital Muscat late on Wednesday – but remained grounded overnight because of technical issues, the Foreign Office said. It is now expected the flight will take off later today.
British nationals in Oman will be contacted about further flights out of the country’s capital Muscat “as they become available”, Minister Hamish Falconer said.
PM defends not joining military action
The PM has faced criticism for failing to join the US and Israel in bombing Tehran.
Earlier this week, Keir Starmer said: “We’re taking action to reduce the threat with planes in the sky in the region intercepting incoming strikes, deploying more capability to Cyprus, and allowing US planes to use UK bases to take out Iran’s capability to strike. What I was not prepared to do on Saturday was for the UK to join a war unless I was satisfied there was a lawful basis and a viable, thought-through plan. That remains my position.”
PM to give press conference at 2pm on the situation in the Middle East
The PM is set to update the nation on the situation in the Middle East.
The Prime Minister is expected to take questions around 2pm from No9 as the conflict in the region rages on and the US and Israel continuing to blitz the Iranian regime. It comes after the UK gave permission for the US to use British bases military bases – but only for “defensive” strikes on Iranian missile sites to protect countries in the Middle East.
His speech also comes as it was revealed the first government evacuation flight for 180 Brits stranded in the Middle East failed to take off. It had been scheduled to depart from Oman’s capital Muscat late on Wednesday – but remained grounded overnight because of technical issues, the Foreign Office said. It is expected to take off later today.