Thank you to those constituents who have contacted me about the situation in Iran and the wider region.
On Monday (2 March), the Prime Minister updated the House of Commons on the situation in Iran and the wider region. He said:
‘The UK was deliberately not involved in the initial US-Israeli strikes on Iran. I do not support regime change from the skies. I believe the best way forward is a negotiated settlement in which Iran agrees to give up any aspirations to develop a nuclear weapon and ceases its regional destabilising activity. This is the long-standing position of successive UK Governments.’
I support the Prime Minister in his duty to judge what is in the UK’s national interest and I support this decision. However, Iran’s response has become a threat to the UK’s people, interests and allies and cannot be ignored. It has launched thousands of missiles and drones at neighbouring countries including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman. Hezbollah, funded by Iran in Lebanon, launched attacks on Israel.
There are an estimated 300,000 British citizens in the region and Iran has hit airports and hotels where they are staying. Our armed forces are also put at risk by Iran’s actions. The death of its Supreme Leader has not stopped Iran from launching these strikes. Its approach is reckless and dangerous, targeting economic targets with little regard for civilians.
The Prime Minister has spoken to its Gulf partners, who are outraged by Iran and asking for help with defence. The UK is acting to protect British lives and this is why UK jets are working now as part of co-ordinated defensive operations. They have already successfully intercepted Iranian strikes, including targets involving UK service personnel. I pay tribute to our brave servicemen and women for putting themselves in harm’s way to keep the people safe.
It is impossible to destroy every Iranian missile and drone after they have been launched. The way to stop the threat is to destroy the missiles at source, in storage or at launchers. The US requested permission to use British bases for that specific and limited defensive purpose. On Sunday, the UK decided to accept a new request to prevent Iran striking the region, killing innocent civilians, endangering British lives and hitting uninvolved countries.
The use of UK bases is limited to ‘agreed defensive purposes’. The UK is not joining US and Israeli offensive strikes. The decision is in accordance with international law, and the Government has produced a summary of legal advice setting this out. The decision is being kept under review.
France and Germany are also prepared to enable US action to destroy Iran’s capability to fire missiles and drones from source. I understand the Prime Minister has been in close contact with world leaders on the destruction of Iranian capability to fire missiles and drones.
I am in no doubt that the regime in Iran is abhorrent. In January, it murdered thousands of its own people. The full horror is still hidden. For decades, it has sought to destabilise the region and export terror worldwide, including attacks by its proxies. It poses a direct threat to Iranian dissidents and to the Jewish community, including in the UK. Over the last year alone, Iran has backed over 20 potentially lethal attacks on UK soil, each of which we have foiled. The Iranian regime must never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons and this is the primary aim of the UK and our allies, ultimately to be achieved through negotiations.
The situation may remain challenging for some time. We are sending rapid deployment teams to help British nationals on the ground. The UK is in close contact with the travel industry and regional Governments and is examining all options to support our people and ensure they can return home as swiftly and safely as possible. Much airspace remains closed, and authorities are advising individuals to shelter until repatriation flights can be arranged.
The Government reaching out to UK-based communities including Muslim and Jewish community organisations and ensuring that sites, including places of worship, have appropriate protective security in place.
Any UK actions must always have a lawful basis and a viable, thought-out plan. We were not involved in the initial strikes on Iran and we will not join offensive action now. Faced with Iran’s strikes, the UK Government will protect its people and support the self-defence of our allies. This is the best way to eliminate the threat, prevent the situation spiralling and support a return to diplomacy.
Thank you for writing.
Best wishes
Rt Hon Hilary Benn
MP for Leeds South
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland