Starmer is in charge of the Cobra meeting about the US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

 

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has chaired a Cobra meeting about the US and Israeli air strikes on Iran.(Image: Reuters)

After negotiations to limit Iran's nuclear program came to an impasse this week, explosions could be heard in several Iranian cities, including Tehran, the capital. The strikes were not carried out by the UK. Israel's military claims that Iran has launched retaliatory strikes, with reports of explosions and attacks on US facilities in several other countries in the region. Air travel has been disrupted as a result of the situation. To coordinate the government's response to a new situation, ministers and officials convene the emergency committee Cobra.

Read More: Trump announces 'major combat operations' in Iran

A government spokesperson stated, "We have consistently supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution" and that Iran "must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon." "We will provide them with consular assistance," the statement reads, "Our immediate priority is the safety of UK citizens in the region." "We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict," they said in addition. British people in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have been told by the UK Foreign Office to immediately shelter in place following reports of missile attacks.

 UK citizens living in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Oman have been instructed to "remain vigilant" and to seek shelter when advised to do so. Doha, Qatar's capital and home to a US military facility, has already experienced explosions and air raid sirens following the early Saturday morning strikes on Iran. The defense ministry of Qatar claimed to have stopped Iranian missiles. The service center of the US Navy's 5th Fleet, which is based in Bahrain, has also been "subjected to a missile attack," according to state media. The strikes have been referred to by Donald Trump as the beginning of "major combat operations," and he has demanded that Iranian government forces lay down their arms. Iranians were urged to seek shelter by the US president until the operation was over. In response to the US-Israeli attacks, Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) promised a "crushing" response.

Flights cancelled and diverted

Due to safety concerns, numerous major Middle Eastern airlines have diverted or canceled flights. Services from Amman, Jordan, on Saturday to Tel Aviv and Bahrain have been canceled by British Airways until Wednesday. On the airline's Friday flight to Doha at 20:00 p.m., 200 people were told to turn around about a third of the way through the journey, so they ended up back at Heathrow. Virgin Atlantic said it cancelled a Heathrow to Dubai flight and warned that its flights to India, Saudi Arabia and the Maldives may take longer due as they had to be rerouted.

 Up until and including next Saturday, Wizz Air confirmed that it has halted all flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Amman. Due to the closure of Qatari airspace, Qatar Airways and Emirates both confirmed that they would be temporarily suspending flights to and from the country's capital, Doha. The busiest airport in the United Kingdom, Heathrow, advised passengers to check with their airline for updates. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she stood with the US and Israel "as they take on the threat of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its vile regime".

 As "attacks against this evil regime in Iran begin," Reform UK leader Nigel Farage stated that he prayed "for the right outcome for the wonderful Persian people."

Source: BBC