Iran has issued a stern warning to the UK, advising caution in escalating involvement in the ongoing conflict. Seyed Ali Mousavi, the Iranian ambassador in London, emphasized that Iran reserves the right to self-defense if the UK directly participates in US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Mousavi urged the British government and others to proceed with extreme care in their actions.
Although the UK has allowed Donald Trump’s forces to use its air bases for defensive purposes against Iranian facilities, it has refrained from direct engagement in strikes. Mousavi expressed relief that the UK has not engaged in aggression and suggested that lessons from the 2003 Iraq invasion have been noted. However, he made it clear that Iran will continue targeting US bases if strikes on Iran persist.
In an interview with the BBC, Mousavi warned that any facilities or bases used against Iran would be considered legitimate targets. Recent Iranian missile strikes on Gulf states like Qatar and the UAE have occurred, but Mousavi indicated a willingness not to attack neighboring countries unless provoked. Nonetheless, he emphasized that Iran would defend itself against any regional military bases used against it.
The US and Israel have conducted extensive air strikes on Iran, targeting missile sites, nuclear facilities, and the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated a non-involvement stance but allowed US defensive strikes from British military bases against Iran.
US heavy bombers landed at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire as President Trump prepared for a significant missile bombardment to compel Iran into surrender. A suspected drone strike hit the British base RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus on March 1, causing minor damage and raising concerns about British implications. Consequently, Mousavi was summoned by the Foreign Office on March 4.
