UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has stated that the United Kingdom is not afraid of Iran’s “sabre-rattling” over its support for US actions.
In comments to the BBC, he stressed that Iranian officials’ claims that Britain is allegedly a “legitimate target” for allowing the use of its bases for American defensive operations should not be exaggerated.
“I think we shouldn’t put too much stock in the sabre-rattling of Iran, and we certainly shouldn’t be intimidated by what the regime has said this week,” Streeting said. According to him, British armed forces stand ready to respond to any attacks Iran may launch against the United Kingdom or its allies.
Earlier, Iranian authorities declared that British bases used by American forces are considered “legitimate targets.” London has permitted the United States to conduct only defensive operations from British facilities, including RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia, aimed at preventing Iranian missile strikes against the region and shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, Britain has consistently refused to take part in offensive actions against Iran.
Streeting reaffirmed this position: “We have not joined and will not join offensive US military action in Iran. That’s an area where we have not agreed with the United States, but when it comes to securing maritime freedom and free commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, that’s where we are absolutely aligned.”