Prime Minister Keir Starmer has put the UK Cabinet and military leadership on high alert amid growing concerns that the United States could soon launch a military strike against Iran. In response to escalating tensions in the Middle East, Starmer called an emergency Cobra meeting shortly after returning from the G7 summit. While he publicly stated that President Trump had given no direct signal of an imminent attack during their meetings, the behind-the-scenes activity painted a more serious picture. Intelligence chiefs, military leaders, and the US ambassador were all brought in to discuss possible outcomes and the UK’s role should conflict break out.
At the center of these discussions is the strategic British air base on Diego Garcia, located in the Indian Ocean. There is growing speculation that the US could look to deploy B-2 stealth bombers from there, targeting Iran’s deeply buried Fordow nuclear facility. While the US has yet to make a formal request, UK officials have made it clear that any use of British territory for military action would require government approval, and possibly even a parliamentary vote. The Attorney General reportedly advised that any UK involvement must be strictly defensive to remain legally sound.
Starmer has tried to maintain a delicate balance, supporting Israel’s right to defend itself while also urging restraint to avoid a wider war. The UK government has already taken steps to protect its personnel, withdrawing the families of diplomats from Israel as a precaution. However, it has stopped short of ordering a full evacuation of British nationals from the region, signaling that the situation, while serious, remains under watch.
Domestically, the debate is intensifying. The opposition Conservatives have expressed conditional support, saying they would back UK involvement if the goal is to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power. Within Starmer’s own government, there is clear concern about the risk of escalation, and the political and humanitarian consequences that could follow a direct US strike.
As tensions simmer, the UK finds itself at a strategic and moral crossroads. Starmer must weigh alliance obligations against national interest, legal frameworks, and the potential cost of being drawn into another Middle East conflict. The coming days could shape not only Britain’s immediate foreign policy but also its long-term role in global security.
