Ukraine is bracing for a potential shortage of US-made Patriot air defence missiles as Washington’s Middle Eastern allies use large quantities of the same systems to intercept Iranian attacks. Experts told Al Jazeera that Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to exploit the shortfall, which could occur within weeks, by intensifying missile assaults on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. The Patriots, first deployed in Kyiv in 2023, have been crucial in intercepting Russian ballistic missiles, including the Kinzhal, but their limited supply and high cost have constrained Ukraine’s defences.

Analysts warn that the shortage highlights broader weaknesses in Ukraine’s protection of energy and transport infrastructure. Moscow’s strategy of using drones and decoy missiles to exhaust Ukrainian air defences has already proven effective. European and Israeli reluctance to release additional Patriot stocks further complicates Kyiv’s situation. Ukraine currently operates fewer than a dozen Patriot batteries, far below the 25 it says are needed.

While France and Italy’s SAMP/T systems offer some backup, their effectiveness against Russia’s modified missiles remains untested. Experts caution that Russia may soon launch large-scale raids to deplete Ukraine’s remaining missile reserves.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed his decision not to involve the United Kingdom in the joint United States and Israel attack on Iran. He also refused to allow American aircraft to use British bases for the operation. Starmer explained his stance at a press conference on March 5, 2026, aiming to reassure a concerned public amid rising tensions.

During the briefing, Starmer emphasized that his goal was to provide calm and prudent leadership in the national interest. He stated that the UK must have the strength to stand firmly by its values and principles regardless of external pressure. His remarks were seen as a signal that he would not yield to pressure from US President Donald Trump.

Starmer reiterated that the UK’s long-standing position on Iran is to seek a resolution through dialogue, encouraging Iran to halt its nuclear program. He described his decision to stay out of the initial wave of attacks as a carefully considered move made in the national interest.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has offered assistance to Middle Eastern allies to help counter possible attacks from Iran. He announced that Ukraine is preparing a plan to deploy experts in the Gulf region to help partner nations defend against Iranian drones and missiles. Zelensky said he has spoken with leaders of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, and Bahrain regarding the initiative.

According to the Ukrainian president, he has instructed officials to design a plan that supports allied countries without weakening Ukraine’s own defense capabilities. In a post on X, Zelensky stated that Ukraine can contribute to saving lives and stabilizing the situation. He emphasized that Ukrainian military forces have the necessary capacity, and teams are already coordinating the deployment of specialists.

Zelensky added that Ukraine is ready to help protect civilians, restore safe maritime navigation, and maintain stability in the region, underscoring Kyiv’s willingness to extend its defense expertise beyond its borders.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged the country to remain calm and act with clarity and purpose amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. Speaking in Parliament on March 4, 2026, he emphasized the need for measured and transparent decision-making during the escalating regional tensions.

Starmer stated that the United Kingdom is maintaining close coordination with the United States regarding the deployment of military assets in the region. These include air defense systems, drone-interception measures, and F-35 fighter jets. His remarks came as part of the government’s response to the growing instability in the Middle East.

The statement reflects the UK’s cautious approach to the conflict, focusing on strategic cooperation with allies while avoiding rash actions that could further inflame the situation.

US President Donald Trump has criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for refusing to assist Israel in conducting airstrikes on Iran. Trump said the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is no longer what it used to be. His remarks came after the UK declined to allow its bases to be used for the operation.

Earlier, Starmer had sharply criticized Trump’s actions in Iran, stating that the United Kingdom does not believe in changing a country’s regime through aerial attacks. He defended his decision not to permit the use of British bases for such strikes. However, Starmer clarified that the UK would allow its bases to be used to protect allied forces and its own troops in the Gulf and Middle East amid the Iran-Israel conflict.

In an interview with The Sun, Trump expressed disappointment, saying he never expected such a stance from the UK. He added that the world has changed and that the bilateral relationship now feels different and diminished.

The United Kingdom is sending charter flights to rescue British citizens stranded in various Middle Eastern countries amid the ongoing war. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told the House of Commons that a government charter flight will depart from Muscat, Oman, for the UK within the next few days. The initiative aims to assist citizens unable to leave the region due to the conflict.

The UK government has launched a new registration process to identify how many British nationals are currently in Middle Eastern countries. According to the BBC, by Tuesday morning, about 130,000 British citizens had registered through this system. Cooper stated that those in 'vulnerable' conditions will be given priority for evacuation on the charter flights.

The move reflects the UK’s effort to ensure the safety of its nationals as instability spreads across the region, though details about the specific countries affected were not disclosed.

The United Kingdom is considering sending a warship to the Mediterranean following a drone attack on its military base in Cyprus. According to defense sources cited by the BBC, the Royal Navy’s HMS Duncan has been kept ready for possible deployment, though no final decision has yet been made.

The reported attack targeted a British military installation in Cyprus, prompting London to evaluate its security posture in the region. The move reflects heightened concern over regional stability and the safety of British forces stationed abroad.

While the UK has not confirmed when or if the deployment will occur, the preparation of HMS Duncan indicates that the government is maintaining readiness for potential escalation or deterrence operations in the Mediterranean.

In the UK House of Commons, British lawmaker Edward Jonathan Davey sharply criticized US President Donald Trump for what he described as an illegal and unilateral attack on Iran. Davey said the assault violated international law and placed responsibility squarely on Trump, warning that it endangered Middle East stability and increased risks to civilian lives.

While also condemning actions by the Iranian government, Davey cautioned that military escalation could heighten tensions and civilian casualties. He emphasized the need for accountability and restraint in any military response. His remarks came during a parliamentary session in which Prime Minister Keir Starmer was delivering a statement on the Iran situation.

Davey further urged the UK government to act with caution and strengthen coordination with the United States. Analysts noted that the debate could complicate diplomatic relations between the UK and the US, as well as intensify disputes over international law and regional stability.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has condemned the attack on a British military base in Cyprus, describing Iran’s recent assaults on Gulf and other nations as reckless and unjustified. In an interview with the BBC, she stated that those countries targeted by Iran were not involved in any attacks against it. Cooper also clarified that the United Kingdom itself was not involved in any strikes on Iran.

Although British aircraft did not participate in the attacks, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK would allow the United States to use British bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missile sites. When asked about the source of the attack on the Akrotiri base, Cooper said she did not yet have full information but that the ministry would release further details as soon as possible.

The incident follows reports that two drones heading toward the UK base in Cyprus were shot down, amid rising regional tensions involving Iran, Hezbollah, and other actors.

The United Kingdom is preparing to evacuate its citizens from the Middle East, according to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. She stated that around 300,000 British nationals have registered their presence in the region. Cooper told Sky News that the government is considering a wide range of options, including working with the travel industry and, if necessary, organizing official evacuation operations.

Cooper added that the British government hopes to see airspace reopen soon. In coordination with the travel sector, rapid deployment teams will be sent to ensure the safe removal of citizens. The statement comes as the UK monitors developments in the region and seeks to maintain readiness for potential emergency responses.

The move reflects growing concern over safety conditions in the Middle East, where recent incidents have heightened security risks for foreign nationals, prompting London to prepare contingency measures for its citizens.

The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that a suspected drone attack targeted an RAF base in Cyprus on Sunday night. The incident occurred at RAF Akrotiri, one of Britain’s key military installations on the island. Authorities reported no casualties from the attack and stated that security measures at the base remain at the highest level, with personnel responding immediately to the threat.

The attack came amid heightened regional instability following the reported death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli airstrike. UK Defence Secretary John Healy said indiscriminate retaliatory attacks by Iran have increased risks for British troops and civilians across the Middle East. The Ministry of Defence emphasized its commitment to protecting its forces and maintaining operational readiness in the region.

The situation underscores growing security concerns for Western military assets in the eastern Mediterranean as tensions escalate between Iran and Western allies.

Arsenal defeated Chelsea 2-1 in a high-voltage English Premier League match, extending their lead at the top of the table. Under coach Mikel Arteta, the Gunners maintained strong form as Manchester United also claimed a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace. Meanwhile, Manchester City edged Leeds United 1-0 away, with Antoine Semenyo scoring the decisive goal.

City’s win came just before halftime when Ryan Aït-Nouri’s pass found Semenyo, who finished neatly to beat the goalkeeper. The result marked City’s fourth consecutive league victory, narrowing the gap with leaders Arsenal. After 28 matches, City hold 59 points from 18 wins and five draws, trailing Arsenal by two points.

In other European action, Bayern Munich beat Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in the Bundesliga thanks to two goals from Harry Kane, while Paris Saint-Germain defeated Le Havre 1-0 in Ligue 1.

The United Kingdom has granted the United States permission to use British military bases for operations targeting Iran’s missile systems. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the decision in a video message on Monday, clarifying that the UK will not take part directly in the war. He said the move follows requests from allied nations in the Gulf region for stronger British involvement in their defense.

Starmer stated that British warplanes are already participating in joint air defense missions and have intercepted several Iranian missile attacks. He emphasized that neutralizing the threat requires destroying the missiles at their source, including Iranian storage sites and launchers. The United States requested access to British bases for what it described as “specific and limited defensive purposes,” and the UK government accepted the request to prevent further Iranian attacks that could endanger civilians and British nationals.

The announcement comes amid escalating tensions in the Gulf, including recent missile strikes on energy facilities in Qatar and attacks on oil tankers near Oman.

The United Kingdom’s Foreign Office has issued a travel advisory urging British citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The advisory, announced through a post on social media platform X, specifies that only emergency travel should be undertaken to these Gulf countries.

The post further instructs British nationals currently residing in those countries to register their presence and seek shelter where possible. The advisory comes amid heightened regional tensions, though the statement itself does not specify the reasons behind the warning or any particular incidents prompting it.

The notice underscores the UK government’s caution toward the security environment in the Gulf region, advising citizens to remain alert and follow official updates from the Foreign Office.

The BBC has reported that the United Kingdom is not participating in the joint military operation carried out by the United States and Israel in Iran. In response to the escalating situation in the Middle East, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called an emergency meeting of the government’s security-focused COBRA committee on Saturday, which he is expected to chair.

According to the report, London has expressed concern that the attack in Iran could trigger a wider regional conflict. A spokesperson for the British government stated that the UK does not want the conflict to expand into a broader regional war. The spokesperson also emphasized that ensuring the safety of British citizens in the region remains the government’s immediate priority.

The developments come amid heightened tensions following missile and drone attacks between Iran and Israel, raising fears of further instability across the Middle East.