As the war in Iran approaches the two week mark, Brits have been left wondering whether the conflict could eventually grow big enough to directly threaten the UK
The Iran war has now run on for 13 days, with thousands of people dead as the US and Israel run bombing raids on Tehran – causing massive regional disruption and sparking fears that it might spread further afield.
While the regional war has had a largely economic impact on the world at large, with oil prices rising higher than they’ve been in years, fighting has not yet spread outside of the Middle East. But British troops were placed in the line of fire earlier this month following an Iranian drone explosion at RAF Akrotiri, and British pilots are locked in drone-interception operations to protect allied and regional interests.
US authorities have failed to rule out whether there will be boots on the ground in Iran as the joint operation with Israel drags on, with the UK only involved in protecting the country’s own military bases.
READ MORE: Dubai Brits face three chilling threats if they film drone attacksREAD MORE: Nine must-have items UK households urged to stockpile in Iran war – full list
The Prime Minister said this week that British troops will not become directly involved in the assault on Iran, and the government’s current main priority is “assessing the risks, monitoring and talking to our international partners” about minimising the “impact on people here”. Even the deployment of flagship aircraft carrier the HMS Dragon was for defensive purposes.
But, as with any conflict involving a historic UK ally, people have been left worried about the potential ramifications and threat to the country. and people have been debating at what could happen next. If you can’t see the poll, click here.
Iran has issued thinly veiled threats towards the Prime Minister allowed the US to use British bases for what ministers have said are defensive strikes. Last week, Seyed Ali Mousavi told the BBC that his country would have a “right to self-defence” if the UK joined the direct attacks on his country.
He warned the government that Iran expected officials and others from allied nations – most of whom have also refused to join Trump – “to be very delicate, very careful” in their actions.
He added in the interview that “if facilities or properties or bases are used against the Iranian nation”, his country would consider them “legitimate targets”. He continued: “If the aggression… continues there is no doubt we will defend ourselves. And if they want to use these military bases – although we don’t want to do that – there is no doubt we will defend ourselves accordingly.”
Speaking to the Times last week, a western official said that the UK hasn’t totally ruled out taking part in strikes that would deplete Iran’s missile stockpiles.
They said all options remain on the table nearly two weeks after the conflict broke out “because we just don’t know what will happen day to day, week to week as this progresses”. Experts have also highlighted that Iran does not currently have the capability to reach the UK with any of its munitions like Shahed drones, which would only be able to hit as far as Israel or Greece.
But Justin Crump, a defence analyst, told the Times that “asymmetric attacks” could be deployed, including the activation of cells of agents to carry out terror attacks, triggering a government military response.
