Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has alleged that Russia provided Iran with intelligence on US and British military bases located in the Gulf region and on Diego Garcia, part of the Chagos Archipelago. Speaking to journalists, Zelensky read from an intelligence report on his phone, which stated that Russian satellites had been spying on US military bases in the Middle East, the Diego Garcia base, and oil fields across the Gulf. He suggested that this intelligence was handed over to Iran to assist in potential attacks.

Addressing the ongoing war in Ukraine, Zelensky said he was working to ensure that the global energy crisis caused by the conflict does not undermine his country’s ability to continue fighting against Russia. In response to a question from the BBC, he added that Ukrainian forces currently have sufficient fuel supplies.

The report highlights growing concerns over Russia’s alleged intelligence-sharing activities and their possible implications for regional security in the Gulf and beyond.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that U.S. President Donald Trump requested Ukraine’s assistance in countering Iranian drones. In an interview with the French newspaper Le Monde, cited by Al Jazeera, Zelensky said Ukrainian experts are already stationed in several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, to support related efforts. He noted that Washington is maintaining direct contact with Kyiv to help protect U.S. military bases in the region.

Zelensky explained that Ukraine has become highly skilled in neutralizing Iranian drones due to their frequent use by Russia in the ongoing war. He stated that existing air defense systems in the Middle East, such as Patriot and THAAD, are insufficient to fully repel heavy drone attacks, and discussions are underway to supply specific Ukrainian interceptors to the region. In return, Ukraine has proposed a mutual assistance deal, seeking air defense missiles from Middle Eastern partners to address shortages in Kyiv.

Zelensky added that Ukraine’s defense industry is operating at half capacity due to financial constraints and expressed hope that new military cooperation with Middle Eastern nations would strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

UK Defense Minister John Healey has alleged that Russia provided Iran with intelligence and training before the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East. Speaking in an interview with BBC Breakfast, Healey said a so-called 'axis of aggression' has formed between Russia and Iran. He claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s influence is guiding Iran’s actions and that Moscow seeks to divert global attention from its activities in Ukraine.

Healey stated that Britain’s involvement in the conflict was aimed at protecting UK interests, military installations, and allies in the region. He added that the Royal Air Force had conducted more than one thousand hours of aerial patrols in the area as part of these efforts.

The report also referenced related regional tensions, including statements about Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz and concerns over potential energy instability in Asia if the conflict continues.

UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated that the United States has not yet shared any detailed plan to resolve the ongoing conflict. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s 'Today' program, he said that while a plan is being developed, no specific details are currently available.

Healey explained that the United Kingdom is working to bring various countries together and to create alternatives beyond military measures regarding the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized the importance of securing commitments from nations willing to help reopen the strait for maritime traffic. He also described the ongoing discussions between the United States and Iran as a positive step, noting that dialogue between the two sides is welcome.

According to Healey, restoring normal shipping operations in the Strait of Hormuz and achieving regional stability will require an effective path to conflict resolution.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the United Kingdom was aware of the ongoing discussions between the United States and Iran. He emphasized that the UK wants to see a reduction in tensions and an end to the conflict as quickly as possible. Starmer welcomed the news of the talks between Washington and Tehran, describing them as a positive step toward de-escalation.

Starmer further noted that any agreement reached through these discussions should impose strict conditions on Iran, particularly concerning nuclear weapons. His remarks reflect the UK government’s position of supporting diplomatic engagement while maintaining firm oversight on nuclear issues.

The statement comes amid heightened regional tensions, with the UK signaling its preference for diplomacy and stability in addressing the ongoing crisis.

Russia launched missile and drone attacks across Ukraine on Tuesday, prompting air raid alerts nationwide except in the Odesa region. According to Ukraine’s regional military administrations, the strikes killed three people—two in Poltava and one in Zaporizhzhia—and injured several others.

Vitalii Diakivnych, head of the Poltava regional military administration, said on Telegram that residential buildings and a hotel were damaged and caught fire in Poltava, leaving two dead and seven injured. In Zaporizhzhia, regional chief Ivan Fedorov reported a large-scale combined missile and drone assault that killed one person and wounded five, damaging multiple residential and industrial structures.

Ahead of the attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned in his daily televised address that intelligence indicated Russia might be preparing a major offensive.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that the United Kingdom is not involved in any attacks on Iran. He acknowledged that U.S. forces are using some British bases, but only for defensive and limited purposes. Starmer emphasized that Britain is not participating in any military operations against Iran and will not take offensive actions in the future.

Referring to the Iraq war, Starmer said that the government has learned from past mistakes and shaped its current policy accordingly. He noted that British warplanes are deployed in West Asia for defensive missions and have already helped intercept some attacks. His remarks come amid heightened tensions following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, which prompted Iranian counterattacks targeting American and allied bases in the region.

Starmer stressed that ensuring the safety of British citizens in West Asia remains the government’s top priority. He warned that Iran’s escalating attacks are destabilizing the region and reiterated that lasting solutions should come through dialogue rather than military force.

The United Kingdom has deployed its warship HMS Dragon to the Eastern Mediterranean to coordinate with Cyprus’s defense system following a recent drone attack. According to the UK Ministry of Defence, the destroyer left the country on March 11 and will help secure a British airbase in Cyprus that was targeted by Iranian-made drones. The ministry also reported that Royal Air Force Typhoon and F-35 fighter jets conducted overnight defensive operations across the airspaces of Cyprus, Jordan, Qatar, and Bahrain.

The deployment comes amid heightened regional tensions, prompting the UK to strengthen its military presence in the area. The move underscores London’s commitment to safeguarding its strategic assets and personnel in the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly after the recent drone incident.

The situation reflects broader instability in the region, with multiple countries adjusting their defense postures in response to evolving threats.

The United Kingdom’s Foreign Office has summoned Iran’s ambassador to London, Seyed Ali Mousavi, following allegations that Tehran was involved in reckless and destabilizing activities internationally. The move came after reports that an Iranian national and a British-Iranian dual citizen were accused of conducting hostile surveillance on London’s Jewish community.

According to the British Foreign Office, the ambassador was called in after the two suspects, identified as 40-year-old Nematollah Shahsavani and 22-year-old Alireza Farasati, were detained earlier this month as part of an Iran-related investigation. They allegedly carried out reconnaissance operations at key sites, including Britain’s oldest synagogue.

In an official statement, the UK government said it takes threats from Iran and its affiliated groups very seriously and will not tolerate such activities. Authorities added that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure national security and protect citizens.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the government has no credible information suggesting Iran is targeting the United Kingdom. He made the remarks after questions arose about whether Britain was within range of Iranian missiles following a reported missile launch toward Diego Garcia island.

Starmer emphasized that the government continuously conducts full security assessments and currently has no evaluation indicating that the UK is being targeted. He also stressed the importance of protecting British interests and lives without becoming involved in war, calling for efforts to reduce tensions.

His comments came a day after Israel’s military claimed that Iran possesses missiles capable of reaching London, Paris, or Berlin. Iran has not yet issued any official response regarding the reported failed missile launch from its southern coast toward the Diego Garcia military base.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced allegations of concealing information after the government delayed confirming an Iranian missile attack on the Diego Garcia military base for more than 30 hours. The acknowledgment came only after US officials verified the incident. The attack occurred between Thursday night and early Friday, when Iran launched two ballistic missiles toward the joint US-UK base in the Chagos Islands. Neither missile hit its target; one was intercepted by a US warship, and the other fell into the sea.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch accused the Labour government of maintaining a “culture of cover-up” and urged an explanation for the delay in informing the public. She argued that while genuine national security matters should remain confidential, significant events must be disclosed to Parliament and citizens. Badenoch, who succeeded Rishi Sunak as party leader in November 2024, made her remarks in an article for the Daily Mail.

A government source dismissed the criticism as a desperate move by the opposition leader, claiming she had repeatedly mishandled the crisis. The government confirmed the attack attempt on Saturday morning, more than 30 hours after it occurred.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called an emergency COBRA meeting on Monday to address potential economic risks to the United Kingdom stemming from the ongoing Iran war. According to The Guardian, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey are among the key participants. The meeting will assess the possible effects on households, businesses, energy security, and supply chains, as well as international responses.

The heightened tension follows Iran’s warning that it would target Gulf neighbors’ energy and water systems if U.S. President Donald Trump carries out threats against Iranian power plants. Reuters reported that the UK is closely monitoring the situation amid concerns over its heavy reliance on imported gas, persistent inflation, and fiscal strain, which have accelerated the fall in government bond prices.

Reeves noted that it remains difficult to predict the war’s full impact on the British economy. While rejecting broad cost-cutting measures for now, she said targeted assistance options are under consideration.

A UK cabinet minister has said there is no evidence to support Israel’s claim that Iran possesses long-range missiles capable of striking London. The statement followed an assertion by the Israeli Defense Forces that Tehran has weapons with a range of up to 4,000 kilometers. UK Housing Minister Steve Reed told the BBC that there is no specific assessment suggesting Iran is targeting the United Kingdom or has the capability to do so.

The comments came after Iran reportedly launched two ballistic missiles toward the joint US-UK military base on the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean on Friday night. One missile reportedly fell mid-flight, while the other was intercepted. The islands are located about 3,800 kilometers from Iran. Minister Reed declined to disclose how close the missiles came to British territory, citing operational confidentiality.

The incident has drawn attention to regional tensions and raised questions about Iran’s missile reach, though the UK has emphasized the lack of verified evidence supporting Israel’s claim.

The United Kingdom has granted the United States permission to use British military bases for operations targeting Iranian facilities or positions involved in attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. The decision was made during a cabinet meeting on Friday, according to the UK government. Previously, Downing Street had allowed the US to use British bases only to intercept Iranian missile attacks that could endanger British interests or lives.

The new authorization expands that permission, enabling US forces to use British bases to protect shipping in the Hormuz Strait. Downing Street clarified that the UK will not directly participate in any such attacks and that its policy toward the conflict remains unchanged. A government spokesperson said ministers agreed that US forces could use British bases for defensive operations aimed at capabilities used in attacks on ships in the region.

The decision reflects continued coordination between the UK and the US over maritime security in the Persian Gulf amid heightened tensions involving Iran.

Wholesale gas prices in the United Kingdom have risen by nearly 140 percent to 171.34 pence per therm (about 2.29 dollars), marking the highest level since January 2023. The sharp increase follows escalating conflict in the Middle East, where Israel launched an airstrike on a petrochemical facility at Iran’s South Pars gas field early Wednesday. The site, one of the world’s largest gas fields, is jointly operated with Qatar.

In retaliation, Iran struck energy infrastructure in several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. Iran’s missile attacks also caused fires at parts of Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG complex, one of the world’s largest liquefied natural gas centers. Analysts say the UK remains heavily dependent on imported energy, particularly from Gulf nations such as Qatar, making it vulnerable to regional instability.

According to Al Jazeera, if the situation continues, global energy prices could rise further, potentially affecting the broader world economy.