Keir Starmer has pledged to protect British citizens and the UK’s allies in the Middle East from the barrage of missiles and drones coming from Iran.

The Prime Minister cautioned that the conflict could persist for an extended period and responded by dispatching four additional Typhoon jets to Qatar to reinforce the defense of Gulf nations. In addition, two Wildcat helicopters equipped with anti-drone missiles are set to arrive in Cyprus, along with the deployment of the HMS Dragon warship to the Mediterranean.

Starmer emphasized the importance of intercepting Iranian missiles before they pose a threat to British nationals and allies, aiming to maintain a protective shield over the region. He assured the public during a press briefing at No9 Downing Street, urging unity and resilience in the face of the ongoing crisis.

A government evacuation flight departed from Muscat, Oman, after a brief delay due to technical issues, carrying around 180 British nationals. The situation surrounding the evacuation has faced challenges, as described by a passenger named Mark, highlighting issues with check-in procedures and communication.

British Airways announced plans to operate an additional daily flight from Muscat to London Heathrow to facilitate the evacuation efforts. Starmer emphasized the substantial scale of the operation, comparing it to the evacuation from Afghanistan and stressing the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of British citizens.

With over 140,000 Britons registered in the Middle East, the Foreign Office established a crisis center in response to the escalating conflict.

Despite initial reluctance to participate in US-Israeli strikes on Tehran, Starmer later granted permission for the use of British military bases for defensive measures to protect targeted countries. This decision faced criticism from Donald Trump, who questioned the Prime Minister’s resolve in handling the situation.

Starmer reaffirmed the strength of the UK-US special relationship, emphasizing ongoing collaboration between the two countries in safeguarding their interests and sharing intelligence. He underscored the importance of making decisions in the national interest and reiterated the operational nature of the special relationship amidst the crisis.