United States and Israel carried out coordinated military strikes on Iran, triggering international debate over their legality and raising fears of wider regional escalation.

Explosions were reported over Tehran on Saturday following what US officials described as a “preventative attack.” Donald Trump confirmed the operation in an eight-minute video posted on Truth Social, calling it a “major combat operation.” He argued that Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon and said the strikes were necessary to stop what he described as “mass terror.”

Iran has since launched retaliatory strikes toward Israel, increasing tensions across the region and prompting emergency discussions among Western governments.

In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Keir Starmer scheduled an emergency meeting of the government’s COBRA security committee. Britain has also strengthened security and military readiness at its bases in Cyprus amid concerns about potential escalation.

The UK did not take part in the strikes. British officials reportedly refused US requests to use RAF bases for the operation due to concerns over international law.

Peter Ricketts said the strikes would not be considered lawful under UK standards. Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he argued there was “no imminent threat” to justify the attacks and suggested the action was either chosen by Washington or influenced by Israeli pressure.

He also warned that the operation could undermine diplomatic efforts involving Iran’s nuclear programme.

Meanwhile, Labour MP Emily Thornberry, who chairs the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, echoed concerns about legality and cautioned against Britain becoming involved in a wider conflict.

Tensions between Washington and London have grown over Middle East policy. The dispute follows earlier disagreements over the recognition of Palestine and the UK’s decision not to join Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace for Gaza.”

British officials say their immediate priority is protecting UK nationals in the region while urging de-escalation to prevent a broader Middle East war.

Key Takeaways

• The US and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran, prompting retaliatory attacks and regional tension.

• UK officials and security experts question whether the military action is legal under international law.

• Britain refused to allow US forces to use RAF bases and is focusing on protecting nationals in the region.

Original Source: The Telegraph
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/

US strikes against Iran not 'legal in a way UK would recognise'

33 minutes ago, bannork said:

Iran has since launched retaliatory strikes toward Israel, increasing tensions

Sure, Iran increases the tenstions by not laying down.

UK questions the legality of the airstrikes? To what end? It's a fait accompli. Saying "knock it off you guys, it's illegal" makes the UK sound ridiculous in the midst of a very serious situation.

I hope the UK doesn't get involved.

After the last war to get rid of weapons of mass destruction that never even existed and Trumps recent insults I doubt anyone would want to help.

1 hour ago, Bannoi said:

I hope the UK doesn't get involved.

After the last war to get rid of weapons of mass destruction that never even existed and Trumps recent insults I doubt anyone would want to help.

I'm no admirer of Starmer, but I hope he's learned the lesson from Blair and keeps well away from Trump/Israel.

UK questions legality of US-Israel strikes on Iran

The US-Israel have just engaged in a undeclared war of aggression which is exactly what got a bunch of Nazis hung after WWII.
That may well blow up into the regional war in the Middle East at best, and a World War at worse.

When you hear, "Peace Though Strength?" RUN!

The UK government has not condemned the strikes in Iran, it simply did not join them militarily, instead stressing that Iran should never have a nuclear weapon, urging diplomacy and de-escalation, and focusing on protecting British nationals and interests in the region...

A couple of senior figures parliamentarians, former national security advisor have openly questioned the legal basis of the attacks - thats not the official UK government position (at the moment at least).

I'd argue it's quite 'of note' how few governments have not officially condemned the strikes, yet have either remained 'neutral' or spinelessly pressed for restraint.

Meanwhile several Governments have publicly condemned Iran’s retaliatory missile and drone attacks including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan.... with several of these states the recipient of strikes; missile and drone attacks on Bahrain, Saudi, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan, with multiple interceptions over their territories. While these attacks were targeting USA assets and retaliatory, the governments have denounced the strikes as violations of sovereignty and threats to regional stability.

Regionally - Iran is very unpopular - this is something we do not see so clearly from the 'West'.

14 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

The UK government has not condemned the strikes in Iran, it simply did not join them militarily, instead stressing that Iran should never have a nuclear weapon, urging diplomacy and de-escalation, and focusing on protecting British nationals and interests in the region...

A couple of senior figures parliamentarians, former national security advisor have openly questioned the legal basis of the attacks - thats not the official UK government position (at the moment at least).

I'd argue it's quite 'of note' how few governments have not officially condemned the strikes, yet have either remained 'neutral' or spinelessly pressed for restraint.

Meanwhile several Governments have publicly condemned Iran’s retaliatory missile and drone attacks including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan.... with several of these states the recipient of strikes; missile and drone attacks on Bahrain, Saudi, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan, with multiple interceptions over their territories. While these attacks were targeting USA assets and retaliatory, the governments have denounced the strikes as violations of sovereignty and threats to regional stability.

Regionally - Iran is very unpopular - this is something we do not see so clearly from the 'West'.

Yes, SA. Begging the US to attack Iran, and then get offended when Iran retaliates.

15 hours ago, connda said:

UK questions legality of US-Israel strikes on Iran

The US-Israel have just engaged in a undeclared war of aggression which is exactly what got a bunch of Nazis hung after WWII.
That may well blow up into the regional war in the Middle East at best, and a World War at worse.

When you hear, "Peace Though Strength?" RUN!

They've covered their backsides by calling it a conflict rather than a war.

7 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

They've covered their backsides by calling it a conflict rather than a war.

If that’s the position, then it should at least be stated plainly:

Call it what it is - an effort to remove a totalitarian regime that represses its own population and is advancing uranium enrichment toward weapons-grade capability.

7 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

If that’s the position, then it should at least be stated plainly:

Call it what it is - an effort to remove a totalitarian regime that represses its own population and is advancing uranium enrichment toward weapons-grade capability.

Asking for clarity/transparency from this US regime is like asking water to run uphill.

Not sure there is any need for this thread, considering a slight shift in position by the UK government. No doubt Parliament will be calling for a full statement from the Attorney General, but HMG has granted permission for the US to use British bases for defensive strikes on Iranian missile facilities, following what it describes as the "scorched earth" response of Tehran. That means UK bases can't be used for all targets. That might mean command and control bunkers are included, but not political targets; the Iranian 4-level defence means missile units can operate independantly of central command (ie. taking out places of political command would not affect Iran's ability to launch missiles).

Iran's units are now operating automonoulsy as planned indepenednt of central control to attack any hostile elements in their sights. Isane footage confirmed by Grok as real on Tel Aviv harbour. They hit something big.

Let the monsters rot in a stew of their own making.

Tim Stanley - Iran is not Britain’s fight We have followed America into disaster in the Middle East before. There is little sign this time would be different -TELEGRAPH

https://archive.ph/EQM21#selection-2141.0-2157.122

The Tories have called Starmer’s nuanced approach “weak”; Reform says, “gutless”. Reform’s foreign policy seems relatively nuanced, but the Conservatives now appear ideologically convinced that war is always a good thing; that if America were to drive off a cliff, they would jump into the passenger seat and happily go down with it – Thelma to their Louise.

The Iran War could prove just as perilous, given that Trump has neither a destination nor a road-map to work with. In which case, his unilateralism leaves us with a rare and unexpected advantage: Britain, having no activated alliance to honour, can wait and see what happens.

Our national interest depends not upon the reflexive projection of power, a neurotic sense that we must be involved in whatever’s abroad, but upon doing what is to our own, carefully considered benefit. Past adventures in the Middle East were a disaster. This time, let’s look before we leap.

I'm with Steve now - no more Zionist wars.

BREAKING- Britains' Cyprus base hit by Iranian missile. By product form Trump/Israel's war.There is no one to negotiate noe - the IRCG have no reason not to use whatever resources they have to inflict maximum damage. The Trump/Israel put.

Reports confirm a strong explosion heard near UK's RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus around midnight local time. Security threat declared at bases—personnel told to return home, stay inside, move from windows & take cover. Suspicions of a possible crash; amid Iran missile activity in region (UK says not targeted at Cyprus). No confirmed casualties/damage yet. Developing.

You're either with us....or you're with the terrorizors....now watch me hit this drive.

12 minutes ago, blaze master said:

You're either with us....or you're with the terrorizors....now watch me hit this drive.

A variation of "Nero fiddled" ?

1 minute ago, 0ffshore360 said:

A variation of "Nero fiddled" ?

Its a mash up of a few W quotes.