UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said Britain wasn’t involved in Trump’s Iran strikes but was informed in advance and moved assets to protect citizens.
As reported by HuffPost, a cabinet official confirmed Britain had no role in President Trump’s Iran strikes but was briefed ahead of the military action.
Jonathan Reynolds’ views on the UK’s role in Trump’s Iran strikes
Jonathan Reynolds said the US did not seek permission to use Britain’s Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean for the recent airstrikes.
He said,
“We support the prevention of Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon. We had proposed a diplomatic course of action, as other European countries had done, but the Iranians had rejected that.”
Mr Reynolds stated,
“I know people will be waking up this morning, and they’ll be worried. They’ll want to know what this means, and I do want to give them reassurance that whilst the British government, the UK has not been involved in these attacks, we have been making extensive preparations for all eventualities, including how we look after British nationals in the region and how we get them out, and the assets we have in the region to protect British infrastructure, British bases, British personnel, if we need to do that.”
He added,
“I can’t tell you exactly when we did know, but we were informed, as you might expect, by a key ally, of this action.”
Mr Reynolds said that UK backing might not be military, adding that NATO forces are already deployed across the Middle East.
The business secretary stated,
“It’s too hypothetical a question to speculate. The US wants to see people around the negotiating table.”
He highlighted that Iran remains a concern for the UK, stating a nuclear-armed Tehran would pose a direct threat to Britain and its citizens.
Mr Reynolds added,
“The best course of action is that this conflict stops and a negotiated diplomatic solution is obtained.”
What did Keir Starmer say about the Iran strikes?
Jonathan Reynolds’ remarks came after Prime Minister Keir Starmer posted on X,
“Iran’s nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat.”
He said,
“The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis.”
Iran’s nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 22, 2025
The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. We call…
What did Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi say about the US strikes?
Abbas Araqchi posted on X,
“The United States, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has committed a grave violation of the UN Charter, international law and the (nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) by attacking Iran’s peaceful nuclear installations. The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences. Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behaviour. In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defence, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people.”
The United States, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has committed a grave violation of the UN Charter, international law and the NPT by attacking Iran's peaceful nuclear installations.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 22, 2025
The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting…
What did António Guterres say about the US strikes on Iran?
U.N. Secretary General António Guterres said,
“I am gravely alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran today. This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security. There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control, with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world.”
He added,
“I call on Member States to de-escalate and to uphold their obligations under the UN Charter and other rules of international law. At this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos. There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace.”
Iran-Isreal war
- Start date: The fight began on June 13, 2025, when Israel bombed Iran’s nuclear and military sites, including Natanz and some top IRGC leaders.
- Reason: Israel said Iran’s nuclear work is a danger. But Iran says it is only doing peaceful nuclear research.
- Build-up: This war comes after years of tension, including fights in April and October 2024. Israel hit Iranian targets before, and Iran fired back with missiles.