Tehran, March 21: Amid ongoing conflict with Israel and the United States, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi has issued a stern warning to the United Kingdom. He stated on Saturday that if Britain‘s involvement in the ongoing conflict increases, Tehran will respond accordingly.
In a post on the social media platform ‘X’, Araghchi expressed, “Most of the British public do not wish to be part of the war chosen by Israel and the US against Iran. By ignoring his own people, Keir Starmer is endangering British lives by allowing British military bases to be used for aggressive actions against Iran. Iran will exercise its right to self-defense.”
This statement comes at a time when reports have emerged indicating that the US military has been granted access to British military bases. According to officials, Araghchi also conveyed similar concerns during a phone conversation with UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, warning that such cooperation would be considered participation in aggression against Iran.
However, the UK government has opposed this assertion. During the same conversation, Cooper warned Iran against targeting British bases, areas, or interests, stating that such actions could escalate tensions further.
Tensions escalated further when Iran launched two ballistic missiles towards Diego Garcia, a significant joint US-UK military base located in the Indian Ocean. However, both missiles failed to reach their target; one malfunctioned mid-flight, while the other was intercepted by the US Navy. It remains unclear whether the latter was completely destroyed.
This attempted attack has raised concerns regarding Iran’s missile capabilities, as Diego Garcia is approximately 4,000 kilometers away from Iranian territory, suggesting a greater range than previously estimated. This base plays a crucial role in regional security, housing US bombers, nuclear submarines, and guided-missile destroyers.
Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that Britain does not seek a broad military role in the Middle East conflict. Earlier this week, he affirmed that the UK would not engage in a major war. However, he is considering options to support allies, which may include naval deployments to secure maritime routes in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Starmer acknowledged the complexity of the situation, noting that decisions regarding military involvement are challenging, especially under US pressure. He emphasized that the UK is committed to protecting its interests and allies while striving for a diplomatic solution to restore stability in the region.