Great Britain launches planes toward the Middle East

The prime minister said British planes “are in heaven today” in the Middle East “as part of co-ordinated regional defence operations to protect our people, our interests and our allies”.

Previously, it was reported that the United Kingdom was not involved in joint US-Israel operations against Iran.

It is also understood that no United Kingdom military base, including based in Diego Garcia, was used by American planes to launch attacks on Iran.

Now it becomes known that the United Kingdom had placed Typhoon warplanes in Qatar, everyone in protective roles, reports Telegraph, broadcast Periscope.

Here is the prime minister's full statement:

Earlier this morning, the United States and Israel hit targets in Iran. Since then, Iran has launched uncontrolled attacks across the region.

I know that British people and communities throughout our country will be deeply concerned about what this means to security and stability, as well as the fate of innocent people throughout the region, which for many of us includes friends and family members. So as the situation evolves very quickly, I want to present our answer.

The UK played no role in these attacks, but we have long made it clear that the regime in Iran is utterly disgusting. They have killed thousands of people from their own people, brutally oppressed dissidents and tried to destabilise the region. Even in the United Kingdom, the Iranian regime poses a direct threat to dissidents and to the Jewish community.

During the past year alone, they have supported more than 20 potentially deadly attacks on United Kingdom soil. Clearly, then, they should never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. This remains the main goal of the United Kingdom and our allies, including the United States.

I condemn Iran's today's attacks on partners throughout the region, many of whom are not parties to this conflict. We offer them our support and solidarity as part of our commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East. We have a wide range of defence skills in the region, which we have recently strengthened.

Our forces are active and British planes are in the sky today as part of co-ordinated regional defence operations to protect our people, our interests and our allies. As Britain has done before, in line with international law, we have increased protection for British bases and personnel at the highest level. We are also contacting United Kingdom citizens in the region and doing everything we can to support them.

I spoke to leaders from E3 and from across the region today. It is vital that we prevent further escalation and return to a diplomatic process. We want to see peace and security and the protection of the lives of civilians.

Iran can end this now. They must refrain from further attacks, give up their weapons programmes, and prevent terrible violence and oppression against the Iranian people, who deserve the right to determine their future.

In line with our long-standing stance, this is the way to lower tensions and return to the negotiating table. Thank you. /Periscope