British Finance Minister Rachel Reeves said on Sunday that the decision to deploy additional Royal Air Force jets to the Middle East was primarily aimed at safeguarding UK personnel and military infrastructure, though support for allies, including Israel, remains on the table.
Reeves described the move as a "precautionary measure" in response to heightened regional tensions following reciprocal strikes between Israel and Iran overnight. "We're sending in assets to both protect ourselves and also potentially to support our allies," she stated.
When asked if Britain would respond to a formal request for assistance from Israel, Reeves pointed to past instances of UK support. “We have, in the past, supported Israel when there have been missiles coming in,” she said, referencing the RAF's role in intercepting Iranian drones in April, as well as earlier operations involving British fighter jets and refuelling aircraft.
However, Britain’s relationship with Israel has grown increasingly complex in recent months. Last week, the UK government imposed sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers — National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich — citing repeated incitement of violence against Palestinians. Israel condemned the move as “outrageous”.
Despite its firm support for Israel's right to defend itself, the UK has also expressed growing concern over the conduct of Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
In a further sign of unease, Britain’s Foreign Office updated its travel advisory on Sunday to warn against all travel to Israel, tightening earlier guidance issued on Friday, which cautioned against all but essential visits.
The evolving situation underscores the tightrope London is walking: committed to regional security and historical alliances, yet increasingly vocal on humanitarian concerns and the risks of broader conflict.
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Train services through the Channel Tunnel were suspended for much of Tuesday after a power supply failure, causing long delays and leaving thousands stranded during peak New Year holiday travel.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed on Thursday (December 4) that responsibility for the 2018 Novichok attack in Salisbury lies with Russian President Vladimir Putin, following the conclusion of a public inquiry into the poisoning.
Storm Claudia, which brought violent weather to Portugal, has resulted in the deaths of three people and left dozens injured, authorities reported on Saturday. Meanwhile, in Britain, rescue teams were organising evacuations due to heavy flooding in Wales and England.
The Kremlin confirmed on Wednesday that there had been contact between Britain’s national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, and Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, but the dialogue ultimately did not continue.
Snow and ice stalled travellers in northwest Europe on Wednesday, forcing around a thousand to spend the night in Amsterdam's Schiphol airport but delighting others who set out to explore a snow-blanketed Paris on sledges and skis.
Open-source intelligence (OSINT) sources reported a significant movement of U.S. military aircraft towards the Middle East in recent hours. Dozens of U.S. Air Force aerial refuelling tankers and heavy transport aircraft were observed heading eastwards, presumably to staging points in the region.
Diplomatic tensions between Tokyo and Beijing escalated as Japan slams China's export ban on dual-use goods. Markets have wobbled as fears grow over a potential rare earth embargo affecting global supply chains.
Two people have been killed after a private helicopter crashed at a recreation centre in Russia’s Perm region, Russian authorities and local media have said.
Iran’s chief justice has warned protesters there will be “no leniency for those who help the enemy against the Islamic Republic”, as rights groups reported a rising death toll during what observers describe as the country’s biggest wave of unrest in three years.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that the text of a bilateral security guarantee between Kyiv and Washington is "essentially ready" to be finalised with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Iran’s Commander-in-Chief of Army, Major General Amir Hatami has warned against hostile rhetoric from U.S. and Israeli officials. “Iran considers the intensification of the enemies' rhetoric against the Iranian nation as a threat and will not leave its continuation unanswered,” Hatami said.
Türkiye says it's prepared a self-sustaining international stabilisation force for Gaza and has already begun training, Defence Minister Yaşar Güler said, reiterating Ankara’s readiness to deploy troops to support humanitarian efforts and help end the fighting.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has dismissed reports that Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela’s toppled leader, was previously offered asylum in Türkiye.
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