Iran’s ambassador to the UK has warned that “all options are being kept open” when it comes to potential military action against the UK, with one county already at the top of the hit list
Concerns are growing that Middle East conflict could spread to British territory next, with Iran cautioning it may soon launch attacks on UK-based targets.
Iran’s ambassador to London Seyed Ali Mousavi said any UK bases connected to US military operations could come within range if tensions keep rising. American forces have already utilised RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia to launch strikes on Iran since hostilities erupted last month. Last month, Iran fired two missiles towards Diego Garcia – one was intercepted while the other failed mid-air – representing its first confirmed deployment of long-range ballistic weapons in the conflict.
Downing Street had originally resisted US-affiliated operations at the RAF Fairford base in Gloucestershire and the RAF base in Diego Garcia, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer rejecting a request from Donald Trump. But Sir Keir’s position subsequently changed after Iran moved to restrict the vital shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.
Now Tehran has delivered a stark warning, courtesy of its Ambassador to London, Seyed Ali Mousavi told Times Radio: “This is a serious matter under consideration It relates to our self-defence. Our military will decide how to respond based on Britain’s actions. All options are being kept open, but we will act carefully.”
He also commended Sir Keir Starmer’s “initial position” not to become embroiled in the “criminal act of the American side and the Israeli regime” in attacking Iran. However, Mousavi suggested that the choice to permit American bombers to launch from RAF Fairford could alter things.
His comments have intensified fears over Britain’s vulnerability to missile strikes, with specialists cautioning current defences may not be robust enough. Despite a £1 billion commitment to bolster air defences, delays have hampered progress, leaving the UK dependent on NATO partners.
Meanwhile, the economic fallout is worsening. Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has driven global energy costs skyward, prompting Trump to call on American allies to step up to the plate. In a post on Truth Social, the 47th US President criticised countries for refusing to get directly involved – while singling out the UK by name.
“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,” Trump wrote. “Number 1, buy from the US, we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.”
He added: “You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the USA won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!”
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also criticised Britain’s hesitancy, questioning whether the Royal Navy should be stepping up its efforts, while Defence Secretary John Healey defended the UK during a visit to Qatar, asserting that Britain remains a crucial ally to America.
Trump also berated France for denying military supply flights to Israel passage through its airspace. The office of President Emmanuel Macron stated its stance had not altered, affirming it would not back military action against Iran.
The escalating tension across the Atlantic has also been exposed, with Starmer previously condemning US strikes as lacking a coherent strategy – eliciting a curt retort from Trump, who declared the Prime Minister was “not Winston Churchill”.
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