UK boosts military presence in Middle East as Israel-Iran Tensions Escalate

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced the deployment of additional military assets, including fighter jets, to the Middle East amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday while en route to the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada, Starmer said, “We’re moving assets to the region, including jets, and that’s for contingency support.”

The UK already maintains a military presence in the region as part of ongoing operations targeting threats in Syria and Iraq. However, preparations for expanded deployment reportedly began on Friday following signs of worsening conflict.

The announcement comes just days after Israel and Iran exchanged a series of missile attacks and airstrikes. Iran launched missile strikes on Israeli territory late Friday and early Saturday, prompting retaliatory airstrikes by the Israeli military on Iranian positions.

The UK’s move underscores growing international concern over the intensifying hostilities in the region.