The governments of Britain, France, and Germany have signaled they are prepared to act to safeguard their regional interests following what they described as Iran’s “indiscriminate and disproportionate” missile launches on Sunday.
In a joint declaration, the three countries known collectively as the E-3 said, “We will take steps to defend our interests and those of our allies in the region, potentially fire missiles and drones at their source,” adding, “We have agreed to work together with the US and allies in the region on this,” reports The Jerusalem Post.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said separately that Britain had approved a request from Washington allowing the use of British military bases for limited defensive operations targeting Iranian missile stockpiles or launch facilities.
“The United States has requested permission to use British bases for that specific and limited defensive purpose. We have taken the decision to accept this request to prevent Iran firing missiles across the region,” Starmer said in a video posted on X/Twitter.
He emphasised that the UK did not participate in the coordinated US-Israel air campaign against Iran that resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Saturday, and stressed that Britain would not take part in additional strike operations.
However, Starmer said Iran had responded with ongoing missile attacks throughout the region, noting that projectiles had struck airports and hotels where British nationals were present.
