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Ir Keir Starmer warned his cabinet about possible US attacks on Iran just 24 hours after Donald Trump claimed he was “trying to engage in this conflict.”
British officials have debated whether the situation is “significant and unstable” and the prime minister’s team may attempt to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities from Diego Garcia’s joint US-UK Air Base.
The UK has so far remained in the Israeli-Iranian war and is determined to do nothing that could lead to the closure of Tehran’s embassy, the leading Western diplomat in the Middle East.
Officials who described the meeting said the priorities were discussed at a Whitehall Emergency Committee meeting on Wednesday, discussing the possibility of a US attack on Iran.
Participants included Senior Ministers, Army Chief, Intelligence Report Boss and US Ambassador Peter Mandelson.
The Prime Minister continued to call for “escalation.” This is the official reason that the UK is not providing support to Israel to protect itself from Iranian air attacks.
The priorities said at Canada’s G7 Summit on Tuesday that “nothing suggests that the president is trying to engage in this conflict.”
However, British officials later admitted that it is unlikely that Trump would share his true thoughts on dinner with Western leaders. He then admitted that the White House approach to the crisis was a “repetitive process.”
The possibility of using Diego Garcia, a base in the Indian Ocean, due to US airstrikes by B2 stealth bombers, will bring the UK closer to conflict.
One British official said there was no clear “yes or no” answer as to whether Washington would have to seek approval from the UK to use the base to launch the attack.
The UK signed a £3.4 billion deal last month to hand over the Chagos Islands sovereignty to Mauritius, maintaining a 99-year lease to the air base of its largest island, Diego Garcia.
US Air Force B-1B bomber takes off from Diego Garcia’s base during alliance operations in Afghanistan ©USAF/DOD/AFP Getty Images
The Israeli ambassador to London on Tuesday said defensive support from the UK was not discussed or requested.
This contrasts with how British Royal Air Force fighters helped Iran down a fired drone in Israel last April. RAF aircraft provided assistance during a Tehran missile attack in Israel last October.
Last year, the UK supported the US with a military strike against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The UK’s involvement in the current crisis could raise questions about the ongoing presence of British diplomats in Tehran, a city where the US does not have an embassy.
A Downing Street spokesperson said after a Whitehall Committee meeting: “The Minister has been updated on his efforts to support the British people in the region and protect the security of the region and ongoing diplomatic efforts.”
Starmer repeatedly emphasized Israel’s right to protect itself, saying Iran cannot allow nuclear weapons to be developed, but he has not said he would support Israeli-Iran’s involvement in the conflict.
The US attack on Iran could initially focus on the Fordau nuclear site, which was heavily reinforced at first. Israel lacks bombs to destroy.
Satellite Images of the Nuclear Site of Fordaw, Iran ©2025 Maxar Technologies/AFP Getty Images
The US bunker busting comb that can be penetrated and folded must be released by the American B2 stealth bomber. Washington pressured Tehran to agree to a nuclear deal with at least six B2-As at Diego Garcia in March.
Experts said the US could launch a B2 attack from Missouri home base, but said additional distance and fueling needs would be an additional complication for any mission.
A UK government spokesperson said it would not comment on hypothetical activities.
Meanwhile, families of staff members at the British embassies and consulates in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem “were temporarily withdrawn as a precautionary measure,” the Foreign, Federal and Development Bureaus said.
That decision, in contrast to the FCDO’s current advice to the British citizens of Israel, has been invited to register with the British Embassy or Consulate, but has not been told to leave the country.
British Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel ©Engin Korkmaz/Alamy
British officials said the number of people registered for advice and other consulate help was “thousands”, many of which were dual from the UK and Israeli nationals.
The FCDO issuing advice that it is still possible to depart via commercial land through Egypt or Jordan, but does not recommend that British citizens try to leave Israel.
“Our important message to British citizens is to follow the advice of local governments, stay near the shelter and register its presence with the FCDO,” the 10 spokesmen said.
