The United Kingdom has reiterated that Iran must never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, as tensions rise in the Middle East following military strikes carried out

by the United States and Israel.

British officials stressed on Saturday that the UK was not involved in the strikes. However, the government said it remains prepared to defend its interests and support the security of its allies if the situation deteriorates further.

A government source confirmed that Prime Minister Keir Starmer was set to chair an emergency COBRA meeting later in the day to assess the rapidly evolving crisis and Britain’s response.

“Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, which is why the UK has consistently supported diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a negotiated solution,” a government spokesperson said in an official statement.

The spokesperson added that, as part of the UK’s long-standing commitment to the security of its partners in the Middle East, Britain maintains a range of defensive military capabilities across the region, which have recently been strengthened. “We stand ready to protect our interests,” the statement said.

At the same time, the government underlined that it does not want to see the current crisis spiral into a broader regional conflict, urging restraint from all sides.

The immediate priority for London, officials said, is the safety of British nationals in the region. Consular teams have been instructed to provide support to those affected by the unrest.

Reflecting the heightened security concerns, the UK government issued updated travel advice on Saturday, warning against all travel to Israel and the Palestinian territories. The move followed guidance issued a day earlier advising against non-essential travel to those areas. Photo byPrime Minister’s Office, Wikimedia commons.