Britain was notified in advance of the United States airstrikes tartaing Iran’s nuclear facilities but did not participate in the military operation, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds confirmed today.
“We were informed, as you might expect, by a key ally,” Reynolds told Sky News, while clarifying the UK’s position: “We were not and have not been involved in these attacks.”
The overnight strikes—conducted by US B2 stealth bombers and submarines—precisely hit Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites. US President Donald Trump hailed the operation as “a spectacular military success,” though Tehran immediately disputed this characterization.
With Iran launching retaliatory missile strikes toward Israel, the UK government has initiated emergency evacuations of British nationals trapped in the conflict zone. Reynolds stated the evacuations would take “hours, not days,” attributing delays to regional airspace closures.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed support for the US action, calling Iran’s nuclear program “a grave threat to international security.” He acknowledged the US acted to “alleviate that threat,” despite his previous appeals to Washington to avoid military escalation.
Reynolds cautioned about potential domestic security repercussions: “It would be naïve to say that that wouldn’t potentially increase,” referring to elevated terrorism risks in Britain following the strikes.
The operation received cross-party backing, with former cabinet minister Kemi Badenoch praising the US for acting “decisively against a regime that fuels global terror.” Reform UK leader Nigel Farage tweeted: “Iran must not be allowed to have nuclear weapons. The future of Israel depends on it.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi issued a fiery condemnation, labeling the strikes as “lawless and criminal behavior” and warning of “everlasting consequences.”
