UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has strongly responded to former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s criticism of Britain’s position on Iran. In an interview with Sky News, Cooper said it was vital to learn from the experience of the Iraq war. She rejected Blair’s view that the UK should have supported the United States’ stance on Iran from the outset.

Cooper stated that some in politics believe Britain should always align with the United States, while others think it should never do so again. She argued that neither extreme serves the UK’s national interest. Cooper emphasized that Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s responsibility is to make decisions prioritizing British citizens’ interests.

When asked if she was implying that Blair had been a “poodle” of the United States, Cooper replied that the key issue was learning from the mistakes made during the Iraq war, adding that Starmer was trying to do exactly that.

Russia launched extensive missile and drone attacks across Ukraine from Friday to Saturday, killing 12 people and injuring more than a dozen others, including children, according to AFP. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia fired 29 missiles and 480 drones overnight, targeting the country’s energy sector and railway infrastructure. Residential areas and key facilities were also damaged, with Kharkiv suffering a deadly ballistic missile strike that destroyed a five-story building and killed at least 10 people.

Zelensky stated that Russia continues to attack residential zones and critical infrastructure, urging allied nations to provide faster and greater military assistance. In a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, he emphasized the need to swiftly implement the EU’s €90 billion aid package for Ukraine and new sanctions against Russia, which remain blocked by Hungary.

Moscow claimed its strikes targeted only military and energy facilities and denied hitting civilian areas. Meanwhile, Russian-installed authorities in occupied Kherson reported one death and four injuries from a Ukrainian drone strike.

The United Kingdom has placed its aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales on standby to depart from Portsmouth within five days, according to BBC reports citing defense sources. The crew has been instructed to prepare for departure on short notice, a move that deviates from the usual 14-day notice period. The deployment is being considered to protect British interests in the Mediterranean amid escalating conflict in the Middle East.

The British government has faced criticism for not acting swiftly enough to protect Cyprus from potential drone and missile attacks. The Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon has already been deployed to the region. HMS Prince of Wales had originally been scheduled for operations in the North Atlantic and Arctic later this year as part of Operation Firecrest with U.S., Canadian, and European allies to deter Russian aggression near the Arctic.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said the UK has strengthened its military presence in the Middle East since January, deploying Typhoon and F-35 jets, air defense systems, and 400 additional personnel to Cyprus to protect British citizens and allies.

At least five thousand people marched in London on Saturday demanding an end to United States and Israeli attacks on Iran, according to the Metropolitan Police, as reported by Al Jazeera. The protest began in the afternoon at Millbank and moved toward the US Embassy in Vauxhall, with participants chanting slogans calling for an immediate halt to bombings.

Earlier in the day, demonstrators gathered in the Millbank area of central London. Various charities and activist groups also set up temporary tents near Victoria Tower Gardens beside Westminster to conduct related activities. Police officials estimated the crowd size between five and six thousand participants.

The demonstration reflected growing public opposition in the United Kingdom to continued military actions against Iran, with protesters emphasizing their demand for peace and an end to foreign attacks.

A US B-1 Lancer bomber landed at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom, on Friday evening. The 146-foot-long aircraft arrived following British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s decision to allow the United States to take defensive action against Iranian missile installations from UK military bases.

The move came after criticism from US President Donald Trump and several British political figures, including Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, who accused Starmer of delaying permission for base use. Starmer defended his decision, arguing that the conflict could have been legally questionable and lacked a clear, well-planned strategy.

The deployment marks a significant moment in UK-US defense cooperation amid heightened tensions involving Iran, though further operational details were not disclosed in the report.

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.