19 June 2025
Talking of war, Keir Starmer visiting British troops, RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, 10 December 2024. Photo Tim Hammond / No 10 Downing Street via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0).
British involvement in overseas adventures should be a thing of the past. In recent years it has brought conflict, not peace, to the Balkans, Afghanistan, Libya and Iraq. And now British armed forces are to be used against Iran.
Each day brings further escalation in the armed conflict between Israel and Iran, with increasing US interference. This latest round of hostilities has deep roots – due in large part to previous involvement by Britain and France as well as the US.
Fuelling fires
Yet the Starmer government pours fuel on these fires in the Middle East. It is deploying more Typhoon fighter jets and more refuelling aircraft, adding to those already stationed in the region. RAF planes already in the region are engaged in the conflict, gathering and sharing intelligence with US intelligence services and so with the Israeli Defence Force.
‘Selective recognition of nations’ right to self-defence destabilises the region.’
Starmer says he wants de-escalation and diplomacy, but aligns Britain with the US and French governments in support of one side in the conflict. His selective recognition of nations’ right to self-defence only destabilises the region and stifles diplomacy.
Along with the rest of the G7 countries, Starmer has declared for Israel’s right to defend itself and that Iran should never have nuclear weapons. A report that Iran may be able to develop such a capability is the immediate cause of (or pretext for) the current escalation.
Allegations
Israel is widely believed to already have nuclear arms. Allegations that Iran wants to have that capability aren’t new. In 2008 for example, despite the IAEA finding no evidence at the time, the US pressed for suspension of Iran’s uranium enrichment programme (which began in 1974 with the support of the US) – supported by the Labour government as ever.
Britain has 14,000 armed forces personnel deployed across the Middle East. Troops are based in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Jordan, and in US bases in Iraq. The Royal Navy has bases in Bahrain and Oman. The RAF has bases in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Kuwait. Britain has two “sovereign bases” in Cyprus.
Protection
Chancellor Rachel Reeves says, “we’re sending in assets to both protect ourselves and also potentially to support our allies.” Protecting military bases and British troops stationed in foreign countries is not protecting ourselves, rather the reverse.
British troops and bases are now all hostages to fortune. We are told they contribute to peace and stability in the region. What peace? What stability? These are illusions all the while foreign powers are involved.