UK sends more troops to Gulf amid Trump jibes over British military role John Healey says extra deployment is defensive response to ‘expanding threat’ from Iran The Guardian - UK · Mar 31
Extra UK troops heading to Middle East to help defend against Iranian attacks IN FULL The Independent UK · Mar 31
UK sends more troops to Middle East to defend Gulf allies against Iran’s ‘aggressive’ attacks Defence secretary pledges ‘Britain’s best’ to allies in the region – despite repeated insistence that the UK will not get dragged into the wider war The Independent UK · Mar 31
Iran missiles able to strike London, US defence secretary suggests A long-range attack on a joint UK-US military base in the Indian Ocean has fuelled concern over the potential threat posed to Britain itself. Evening Standard · Mar 26
Iran has missiles that can strike London, Pete Hegseth warns US secretary of war outlined the potential threat to the UK capital in a White House cabinet meeting The Independent UK · Mar 26
'More admirals than warships', Royal Navy branded weak as Defence Secretary struggles on fleet's size Ministers were slammed for the delay in sending HMS Dragon to defend Cyprus Evening Standard · Mar 26
Russia is backing Iran in attacks against American allies – while Trump attacks Nato ANALYSIS: The US president continues to insult his allies and back America’s enemies. World affairs editor Sam Kiley says it’s time Republicans saw him as a liability The Independent UK · Mar 26
John Healey refuses to say if Iran has capability to strike UK Iran has targeted the military base used by the UK and US on Diego Garcia island in the Indian Ocean with missiles. Evening Standard · Mar 26
Iran could hit London with a missile, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth suggests It comes as US President Donald Trump blasted the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers as ‘toys’ Evening Standard · Mar 26
British troops shoot down 14 Iranian ‘kamikaze’ drones fired at allied base in Iraq The drones were struck down from the Erbil base, where British troops are stationed The Independent UK · Mar 24
UK defence and alliances ‘keep UK safe’ insists minister after warning over threat of Iranian missiles John Healey spoke after Israel’s military warned Iran had ballistic missiles that could potentially reach London The Independent UK · Mar 23
British destroyer HMS Dragon arrives in eastern Mediterranean Ship arrives three weeks after Iranian-made drone hit British base of RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus The Guardian - UK · Mar 23
UK destroyer finally arrives near Cyprus almost three weeks after deployment announced HMS Dragon has a crew of around 200 The Independent UK · Mar 23
Evening Standard · Mar 20 UK supported French operation to board ‘shadow fleet’ tanker Defence Secretary John Healey said he was proud of the UK armed forces for their role in the French operation in the Mediterranean.
Evening Standard · Mar 20 New military childcare scheme to close ‘big gap’ between Scotland and England Beginning in September 2026, the scheme could save armed forces families in Scotland up to £6,000 per child per year in childcare costs.
Evening Standard · Mar 19 Swinney says UK Government security briefing cancelled over lack of ‘babysitter’ The First Minister said there was a ‘suggestion’ Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander would need to be at the briefing.
The Independent UK · Mar 19 Starmer and European allies condemn Iran attacks in joint statement The leaders expressed their ‘deep concern’ about the escalating conflict, calling on Iran to ‘cease immediately its threats’
Evening Standard · Mar 19 Ministers will meet Swinney on US military use of Prestwick Airport, says Healey The Defence Secretary also said the Scottish Government-owned airport is not being used for strike operations on Iran.
Evening Standard · Mar 19 Iranian strikes on energy sites serious escalation of conflict, says John Healey The Defence Secretary was speaking during a visit to Dreghorn Barracks in Edinburgh.
The Independent UK · Mar 19 British military experts sent to US to plan reopening of Strait of Hormuz Officers there to compile options for accessing route amid fears of mines and Iranian attacks
The Independent UK · Mar 18 Britain to buy more missiles for its forces in Middle East amid ‘indiscriminate attacks’ from Iran The Ministry of Defence confirmed plans to stock up on more of the laser-guided Martlet weapons, which have been used to down drones from Tehran in recent weeks
The Independent UK · Mar 17 Ukraine-Russia war latest: Starmer says ‘focus must remain’ on European conflict after meeting Zelensky Zelensky says he has sent anti-drone experts to help US and its allies in Gulf region
The Guardian - UK · Mar 16 Iran war cannot be ’windfall’ for Putin, says Starmer, as Zelenskyy arrives in UK Ukrainian president’s visit coincides with deadline for Roman Abramovich over proceeds from £2.5bn Chelsea sale
Evening Standard · Mar 16 Zelensky to visit UK on Tuesday as Starmer warns of oil ‘windfall’ for Russia The Ukrainian president’s visit comes as the Middle East conflict has driven up the price of oil, benefiting Russia.