London (TDI): UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has convened an emergency Cobra meeting to assess the security and diplomatic implications of US and Israeli air strikes on Iran, as tensions across the region continue to escalate.
Explosions were reported early Saturday in several Iranian cities, including the capital Tehran, following the collapse of talks this week aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear program. The UK government confirmed it was not involved in the military action.
According to Israel’s military, Iran has since launched retaliatory strikes, with explosions and missile alerts reported in multiple countries across the region, including locations hosting US military facilities. The situation has triggered widespread disruption to international air travel.
Cobra meetings bring together senior ministers, military officials, and security chiefs to coordinate the government’s response to major emergencies.
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A government spokesperson reiterated the UK’s long-standing position, saying: “Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, which is why we have consistently supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution.”
They added that the government’s “immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region,” while stressing that London does not want the crisis to escalate into a broader regional war.
The UK Foreign Office has advised British nationals in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates to immediately shelter in place following reports of missile activity. UK citizens in Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Oman were urged to remain vigilant and follow local safety instructions.
In Doha, air raid sirens were reported after Iranian missiles were intercepted, according to Qatar’s defense ministry. Bahraini state media also reported that facilities linked to the United States Navy Fifth Fleet had been targeted by missile fire.
US President Donald Trump described the strikes as the start of “major combat operations” and urged Iranian forces to stand down, calling on civilians to shelter until the operation concludes. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council responded by vowing a “crushing” retaliation.
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Air travel across the Middle East has been heavily affected. British Airways has cancelled flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until Wednesday, and services to Amman for Saturday. One flight bound for Doha was forced to return to Heathrow Airport mid-journey.
Virgin Atlantic cancelled flights to Dubai and warned of longer journey times to destinations including India and Saudi Arabia due to rerouting. Wizz Air suspended flights to Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman, while Qatar Airways and Emirates announced temporary suspensions following airspace closures.
