Video: UK rules out offensive strikes on Iran, cites Iraq war lessons
Abdullateef Fowewe
The United Kingdom, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has claimed that Britain will not join US and Israeli offensive operations against Iran, emphasising a strictly defensive posture amid escalating Middle East tensions.
Starmer invoked the specter of the 2003 Iraq invasion to underscore his position.
“We all remember the mistakes of Iraq and we have learned those lessons. Any UK actions must always have a lawful basis and a viable, thought-through plan,” he stated.
The announcement comes days after US-Israel airstrikes targeted Iranian military sites, retaliation for Iran’s backing of proxy attacks by groups like Hezbollah.
Tensions have surged since late 2025, with Iran-linked militias intensifying strikes on Israeli positions and shipping routes in the region.
Starmer reiterated Britain’s commitment to defending its interests and allies but stressed that offensive involvement lacks the necessary legal and strategic foundations.
“We stand ready to deter aggression, but we will not repeat the errors of the past,” he added.
