Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has warned that Britain “stands ready to respond to any attacks Iran wishes to wage against this country or our allies”, dismissing Tehran’s recent threats as “sabre-rattling” that should not intimidate the UK.
Speaking to the BBC, Streeting said Britain should not put “too much stock” in the regime’s rhetoric after Iran last week declared the UK a legitimate target because of its role supporting the US-led war against Iran. “We certainly shouldn’t be intimidated by what the regime has said this week,” he added.
“Wes Streeting says UK ready to respond to any Iranian attack, dismissing threats as 'sabre-rattling'.”
The UK has allowed the United States to launch “defensive” operations from British bases hosting American personnel and aircraft, but Streeting repeated that Britain “has not joined and will not join offensive US military action in Iran. That’s an area where we have not agreed with the United States.”
However, he stressed alignment on securing maritime freedom in the Strait of Hormuz, saying the UK is ready to lead a naval mission to help remove mines from the waterway “when the conditions are right”. The impact of the crisis on energy prices and the cost of living made safe shipping routes vital, he added.
Streeting also revealed he is to meet US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in the coming week after “kicking around” ideas to “bring the countries together”, having already been “delighted” to speak to Hegseth by phone.
Turning to Russia, Streeting dismissed a recent live-firing exercise by a Russian warship in the English Channel as “performative” but branded it “irresponsible” and “a reminder of the frankly unsafe and unprofessional way in which they have been conducting themselves”. He said Russia poses a threat to UK security, adding that the public does not see “the enormous efforts that take place every day to counter Russian aggression”.
The defence secretary’s comments come as the UK continues to balance support for its allies with maintaining its own red lines on offensive operations, a stance that may face increasing strain as tensions in the Middle East escalate.
