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Amiri Diwan/Handout via REUTERS
UK Defence Secretary John Healey has met with leaders from the Middle East including Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani
Extra UK troops, along with further UK air defence systems, will be deployed to the Middle East to help with defensive action against Iranian attacks, the government has announced.
On a trip to the Gulf nations, Defence Secretary John Healey said extra air defence teams and systems would be deployed to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait along with an extension of the use of Typhoon jets in Qatar.
"My message to Gulf partners is: Britain's best will help you defend your skies," he said.
The UK government's position on the war in the Middle East is to participate in "defensive action" but US President Donald Trump has repeatedly been critical of that stance.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said on Monday the UK is "not going to get dragged into this war" but would continue to defend its interests and allies in the region.
The defence secretary has been visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain as the government announced the deployment of further systems, and associated teams, for each of the three nations as well as for Kuwait.
Visiting the UK Armed Forces at Dukhan air base, Healey said the government has extended the deployment of UK Typhoon jets to Qatar.
Separately, the defence secretary told Saudi Arabia's defence minister that the UK will deploy air defence missile system Sky Sabre there this week along with teams to operate the system.
The system, composed of radars, control node, and missile launchers, can intercept munitions and aircraft and will integrate within the wider air defences in the region, the ministry said.
Meanwhile, the UK's Lightweight Multirole Missile launcher, a short-range air defence system, has already been deployed to Bahrain along with UK experts who will work to integrate the system into Bahraini defences - and ground-based air defence missile system Rapid Sentry has arrived in Kuwait.
Healey said: "Iran's aggressive attacks continue to threaten our allies and interests in the Middle East.
"That's why the UK has been flying defensive missions since day one of this conflict to protect British interests and allies – and today we're delivering further support by extending our UK jets in Qatar and deploying extra air defence teams and systems to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait."
He further paid tribute to the "heroic efforts" of partners across the Gulf.
"We will stand by our long-term partners in the Middle East and continue to push for a swift resolution to this conflict."
Speaking on Monday, Starmer reiterated that UK troops will not be deployed on the ground in Iran.
"This is not our war and we're not going to get drawn into it," he said while responding to a question from reporters.
President Trump has been critical of the UK's involvement in the war, as well as that of other Nato allies.
On Tuesday, the president specifically referenced the UK as he said countries that did not participate in the initial strikes on Iran should "get your own oil" from the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, the US president said: "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: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.
"You'll have to start learning how to fight for yourself."
