Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has said the UK will not be intimidated by Iran's recent threats, describing the country's rhetoric as "sabre-rattling" and insisting Britain is prepared to respond to any attack against itself or its allies.

Iran declared last week that the UK was a legitimate target because of its support for the US and Israel during the conflict with Tehran.

Iran warning dismissed

Speaking to the BBC, Streeting said Britain should not place "too much stock" in Iran's statements.

"We stand ready to respond to any attacks Iran wishes to wage against this country or our allies and we will continue to do that," he said.

UK limits role in military action

Streeting reiterated that Britain has not taken part in offensive US military operations against Iran and has no plans to do so.

The UK has, however, allowed the US to use British bases hosting American personnel and aircraft for what it describes as defensive operations.

Asked whether Iran had the capability to strike the UK, Streeting again played down the threat, saying the government would not be intimidated by the regime's recent remarks.

He also stressed that while London has differed from Washington over offensive military action, the two countries remain aligned on protecting maritime security and ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

Naval mission and Russia concerns

Streeting said he is due to meet US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in the coming week after discussing ideas to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. He added that he had already spoken to Hegseth by telephone.

The defence secretary also said Britain is prepared to lead a naval mission to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz when conditions allow.

He said maintaining secure shipping routes through the strategic waterway was important because disruption there affects global energy prices and the cost of living.

Separately, Streeting criticised a recent live-firing exercise by a Russian warship in the English Channel, describing it as "performative" and "irresponsible".

He said the incident highlighted what he called Russia's unsafe and unprofessional conduct, adding that Moscow continues to pose a threat to UK security.

Streeting also said the public was largely unaware of the extensive daily efforts undertaken to counter Russian aggression.

Join the discussion?

27 July 2026

View full article

Another stupid politician in the pay of the Jewish Zionist movement or just another plain stupid politician

Well you provide direct support in a war means you’re part of it.

Another Defence Secretary who knows nothing about defence.

He has no military experience at all, he has a history degree, what can possibly go wrong??🤣

"We stand ready to respond to any attacks Iran wishes to wage against this country or our allies and we will continue to do that," he said.....

Respond WITH WHAT??? Yet another idiot!!

He can't even defend the UK from the rubber dinghy invaders 🤣

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Streeting reiterated that Britain has not taken part in offensive US military operations against Iran and has no plans to do so.

The UK has, however, allowed the US to use British bases hosting American personnel and aircraft for what it describes as defensive operations.

They have allowed US bombers to launch attacks from a British Airfield.

Flying from RAF Fairford, dropping bombs on Iran and returning to Fairford is offensive - describing it as defensive is pretty disingenuous!

5 hours ago, johng said:

He can't even defend the UK from the rubber dinghy invaders 🤣

Yes and alot of Iranian fighting age men on those dinghies. They are already in the country and waiting

Edited July 27Jul 27 by lavender19

7 minutes ago, lavender19 said:

alot of Iranian fighting age men on those dinghies

Wouldn't surprise me at all if there are all sorts of men of fighting age on these boats that

harbour ill will towards the UK.

Riiiight! If the Americans can't get it down then WTF are you tiny paper tiger gonna do?! F.ck all! Thats what!

Newsflash, the days when you were an empire ended during WW II. Now you ate a mere shadow of what you once used to be and you still think you can play big boy!

You need a serious reality check!

Streeting's looking for an excuse to carry on doing the bidding of Liebour's Zionist owners
(the entire cabinet is 'labour friends of israel')


Peter Hitchens explains why Britain is finished
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc2oX3qaY7I

What all those politicians and bureaucrats pretend to ignore is that the threat is already take roots within the UK due to the totally irresponsable and rash practice of letting in all the illegals for the last 30 years. Same for many other nations in western Europe that are going to the dogs. The consequences of a totally unreliable governance within the European Union who takes orders from the highly corrupt parliament of Brussels.

Iran has plenty of terrorists living in the UK from the small boats.

Streeting should be careful. Another terrorist attack by an illegal might be one too many for the British to accept.