Defence policy – War Watch

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Defence policy | Donald Trump | Foreign policy | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Military | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Politics | Strait of Hormuz | UK news | US-Israel war on Iran | World news

UK says it remains in talks over escorting ships through strait of Hormuz
ByDan Sabbagh Defence and security editor March 18, 2026

Officials say military planners liaising with US Central Command but situation remains too dangerous for anything to happen soonMiddle East crisis – live updatesBritain has said it remains involved in discussions with the US and European allies over es…

Read More UK says it remains in talks over escorting ships through strait of Hormuz
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Defence policy | Donald Trump | Gaza | Hezbollah | Houthis | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Nato | Nuclear weapons | Oil | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | US-Israel war on Iran | World news

The Guardian view on Trump’s war with Iran: if the US is winning, why ask Nato for help? | Editorial
ByEditorial March 16, 2026

The US has overwhelming military power. Yet the battle has moved to oil routes, alliances and domestic politics – where Tehran is testing western unityDonald Trump would like you to know that he is winning the war with Iran. So comprehensively, in…

Read More The Guardian view on Trump’s war with Iran: if the US is winning, why ask Nato for help? | Editorial
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Defence policy | Donald Trump | Drones (military) | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | John Healey | Middle East and north Africa | Military | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Politics | Russia | UK news | US-Israel war on Iran | World news

Putin’s ‘hidden hand’ lies behind Iran’s drone tactics, UK defence secretary says
ByDan Sabbagh Defence and security editor March 12, 2026March 12, 2026

Pilots reportedly adopting Russian tactics as statement in name of new Iranian supreme leader vows continued attacks on US basesMiddle East crisis – live updatesVladimir Putin’s “hidden hand” lies behind Iran’s military methods, the UK defence secretar…

Read More Putin’s ‘hidden hand’ lies behind Iran’s drone tactics, UK defence secretary says
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Defence policy | Donald Trump | Foreign policy | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Keir Starmer | Middle East and north Africa | Military | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Politics | UK news | US-Israel war on Iran

Keir Starmer says UK sending more fighter jets to Middle East – video
ByMiddle East and north Africa | The Guardian March 5, 2026

The UK is sending four additional Typhoon jets to Qatar, while Wildcat helicopters with anti-drone capabilities are being sent to Cyprus, the British prime minister has said. Keir Starmer said the US had been allowed to use British airfields to carry o…

Read More Keir Starmer says UK sending more fighter jets to Middle East – video
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Defence policy | Donald Trump | Foreign policy | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Military | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Politics | UK news | US military | US-Israel war on Iran | World news

Britain not ruling out future strikes on Iran missile sites, officials indicate
ByDan Sabbagh Defence and security editor March 4, 2026March 4, 2026

‘We just don’t know what will happen,’ western officials say, as UK bases prepare for arrival of US heavy bombersUK politics live – latest updatesMiddle East crisis – live updatesBritain has not ruled out participating in future strikes against Iranian…

Read More Britain not ruling out future strikes on Iran missile sites, officials indicate
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Cyprus | Defence policy | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | John Healey | Middle East and north Africa | Military | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Politics | UK news | US-Israel war on Iran | World news

UK sends Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon to Cyprus
ByDan Sabbagh Defence and security editor March 3, 2026March 3, 2026

Keir Starmer says vessel, which will arrive in about a week, will help defend bases on island after RAF Akrotiri was targeted by dronesUK politics live – latest updatesMiddle East crisis – live updatesA Royal Navy destroyer is expected in Cyprus next w…

Read More UK sends Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon to Cyprus
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Defence policy | Donald Trump | Foreign policy | Gaza | International law | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Keir Starmer | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Politics | UK news | US foreign policy

Starmer says UK will not join ‘regime change from the skies’ on Iran
ByJessica Elgot Deputy political editor March 2, 2026

PM defends use of UK bases for defensive action but says Britain has ‘learned the lessons from Iraq’ on need for ‘thought-through plan’US-Israel war on Iran – live updatesKeir Starmer has said the UK will not join offensive strikes by Israel and the US…

Read More Starmer says UK will not join ‘regime change from the skies’ on Iran
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Defence policy | Donald Trump | Gaza | International law | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Royal Air Force | UK news | US-Israel war on Iran

What is the extent of the UK’s involvement in the Middle East war?
ByDan Sabbagh Defence and security editor March 2, 2026

What is likely to happen now that the US has been given permission to use British bases for a ‘specific and limited defensive purpose’ US-Israel war on Iran – live updatesWhat we know so far on day three of the Iran warBritain has rapidly been dragged …

Read More What is the extent of the UK’s involvement in the Middle East war?
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Defence policy | Donald Trump | Emily Thornberry | Foreign policy | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | John Healey | Keir Starmer | Middle East and north Africa | Nigel Farage | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Politics | Priti Patel | UK news | World news | Zack Polanski

Few will mourn leader of ‘evil’ regime Ali Khamenei, says UK defence secretary
ByRowena Mason Whitehall editor March 1, 2026

John Healey says there is ‘real and rising threat’ from Iran as US and Israeli military action divides political opinionUS-Israel war on Iran – latest updatesThe UK defence secretary has said few will mourn Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, whose de…

Read More Few will mourn leader of ‘evil’ regime Ali Khamenei, says UK defence secretary
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Defence policy | Donald Trump | Foreign policy | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Military | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Politics | UK news | US foreign policy | US military | US news | World news

RAF jets flying defensive missions after US-Israeli attack on Iran, Starmer says
ByDan Sabbagh Defence and security editor February 28, 2026February 28, 2026

PM says British planes ‘in the sky today’ to protect allies in Middle East from retaliatory strikes by TehranUS-Israeli attack on Iran – live updatesUS and Israel strikes on Iran: what we know so farKeir Starmer said RAF fighter jets were flying “in th…

Read More RAF jets flying defensive missions after US-Israeli attack on Iran, Starmer says