London: Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed on Saturday that Royal Air Force fighter jets were active over the Middle East, participating in what he described as "coordinated regional defensive operations" following a massive joint US-Israeli offensive against Iran.

In a televised address from Downing Street, Starmer stated that the British military presence was deployed "to protect our people, our interests and our allies" after Tehran launched retaliatory missile strikes across the region. The Prime Minister emphasised that the U.K.'s involvement was strictly defensive and "in line with international law."

The announcement followed an emergency session of the government's Cobra committee, where senior ministers and security officials assessed the rapidly deteriorating situation.

Defensive Posture

While the United States and Israel carried out "Operation Epic Fury" to dismantle Iranian nuclear and missile infrastructure, British officials clarified that the U.K. did not participate in the initial strikes. Instead, RAF Typhoons and F-35s were tasked with intercepting incoming Iranian threats over allied airspace.

"Our forces are active and British planes are in the sky today," Starmer said, noting that protection levels at British bases in the region, including RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, have been raised to their "highest level."

Diplomatic Appeals

The Prime Minister also joined French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in a joint statement condemning Iran's "indiscriminate military strikes" in the strongest terms. The European leaders urged the Iranian leadership to "refrain from further strikes" and return to the negotiating table.

"It is vital now that we prevent further escalation and return to a diplomatic process," Starmer added.

The British government has advised all U.K. nationals in several Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain, to "shelter in place" as the exchange of fire continues. Despite the military activity, Starmer reiterated that the U.K.'s primary objective remains the restoration of "peace and security" while preventing a wider regional conflagration.

With inputs from AFP