The defense secretary announces that more British troops will be sent to the Middle East.

 

Defence Secretary John Healey has met with the Emir of Qatar as part of a trip to the Gulf nations (Image: Reuters)

For defensive action against Iranian attacks, additional British troops and air defense systems will be sent to the Middle East. This will bring the total number of UK personnel involved in the defense of the Gulf and Cyprus to around 1,000. During a trip to the Gulf countries, Defense Secretary John Healey said that Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait would receive additional air defense teams and systems, and Qatar would use more Typhoon jets. He stated, "My message to partners in the Gulf is: Britain's best will help you defend your skies." The UK's position on the war in the Middle East is to participate in "defensive action" but US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised that stance.

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 On Monday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated that the United Kingdom would continue to defend its interests and allies in the region while "not going to get dragged into this war." As the government announced the deployment of additional systems and associated teams for Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, the defense secretary has been making stops in Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. Speaking to reporters from Qatar, Healey said the Gulf nations had praised the contributions of UK forces describing them as "a cornerstone" to their defence.

 In addition, he stated that he anticipated the war to last "for some weeks" and that Iran had been "expanding" its attacks in the region.

On Tuesday, Qatar issued a warning that attacks on its civilian infrastructure pose a threat to the region as a whole. The remarks were made after an attack earlier this week damaged a power and desalination plant in Kuwait. Watch live updates: Trump instructs the United Kingdom and other nations to "go get your own oil" from the Strait of Hormuz. Healey said that the government has extended the deployment of UK Typhoon jets to Qatar when he paid a visit to the UK Armed Forces at Dukhan air base. Following the deployment of the Royal Air Force's joint UK-Qatari Typhoon squadron in January, Starmer stated at the beginning of the month that four additional jets would be sent to Qatar. The UK will deploy the air defense missile system Sky Sabre in Saudi Arabia this week, according to the defense secretary, along with teams to operate the system. According to the ministry, the system, which includes missile launchers, control nodes, radars, and other components, is capable of intercepting both aircraft and munitions and will be integrated into the region's broader air defenses. The UK's Lightweight Multirole Missile launcher, a short-range air defence system, has already been deployed to Bahrain along with UK experts who will work to integrate the system into Bahraini defences - and ground-based air defence missile system Rapid Sentry has arrived in Kuwait.

Royal Marine commandos using the Lightweight Multirole Missile launcher in Cyprus in March 2026(Image: Ministry of Defence)

Starmer stated once more on Monday that no British troops will be stationed in Iran. He said in response to a question from reporters, "This is not our war, and we're not going to get drawn into it." After Starmer denied a request for the use of UK bases for the initial US-Israeli strikes against Iran in February, the UK previously granted permission for the US to use British military bases for "defensive" strikes on Iranian missile sites. President Trump has been critical of the UK's involvement in the war, as well as that of other Nato allies.

 When the president stated on Tuesday that nations that did not participate in the initial strikes against Iran ought to "get your own oil" from the Strait of Hormuz, he specifically made reference to the United Kingdom. "All of those countries that can't get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT," the US president wrote in a post that he made on his social media platform Truth Social. "You'll have to learn how to fight for yourself right away."

Healey told reporters on Tuesday that allies were looking at a range of options to keep the key shipping lane open.  He said it would require an international response - which included the US.

 He also stated that military planners had been sent to the headquarters of the US military and that a British Navy ship would also be used to make it easier for autonomous drones to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz if needed. However, he ignored the Trump administration's annoyance that the UK did not participate in the war. "We're two nations whose militaries are bound together, work together, and share a unique recognition of the threats around the world and the actions that free nations must take and take together."

Source: BBC