The UK has placed its military bases in the Middle East on the highest level of alert following a series of US airstrikes on Iran, amid fears the situation could spiral into a wider regional conflict.
Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed that force protection measures for British personnel have been stepped up significantly, with the armed forces now braced for potential drone, rocket and missile attacks.
“The safety of UK personnel and bases is my top priority. Force protection is at its highest level, and we deployed additional jets this week,” Mr Healey wrote in a column for the Express on Sunday.
The warning follows early Sunday morning airstrikes carried out independently by the United States against Iranian targets. Although Iran’s threats of retaliation have so far been directed solely at the US, British officials are concerned the fallout could indirectly place UK forces at risk.
British military sites across the Middle East, including RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, where 14 RAF jets are currently stationed, naval facilities in Bahrain and Oman, and shared airbases in Qatar and the UAE, have all heightened their security protocols.
According to defence sources, potential additional security measures could involve arming guards with live ammunition, deploying enhanced radar systems, and increasing air patrols.
Domestic Concerns Rising
The raised alert level comes during an already tense period for UK military security. On Saturday, a British national was arrested in Cyprus on suspicion of spying for Iran at a UK airbase. That incident followed a security breach at RAF Brize Norton, where two pro-Palestinian activists infiltrated the base and caused damage to military aircraft.
Drone Threat Under Scrutiny
Senior defence officials are especially wary of drone-based attacks, given the recent surge in their use in global conflicts. In Ukraine, a single wave of drones destroyed up to 40 Russian aircraft, including bombers capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
Of particular concern is Iran’s use of Shahed-136 drones, capable of carrying explosive, thermobaric or fragmentation warheads. These Iranian-made drones, used extensively by Russia in Ukraine, have already caused widespread infrastructure damage and have recently been deployed against targets in Israel.
British military planners are now working under the assumption that similar technology could be used against UK interests abroad.
Starmer’s Military Response
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed that more RAF jets would be dispatched to bolster security across the region. Starmer has taken a firmer stance on military readiness in recent weeks, in line with growing geopolitical instability and the war in Ukraine.
Although there is currently no intelligence suggesting an immediate targeted attack on British forces, the enhanced alert level reflects a broader risk profile, including improvised explosive devices, rocket fire, and long-range drone incursions.
The Ministry of Defence is continuing to monitor the situation closely alongside allies in the region.
