A Labour minister has assured Britons that Iran has “no intention of targeting the UK” just days after the Islamic Republic fired ballistic missiles at the Chagos Islands.
Lord Coaker, head of international relations and diplomacy at the Ministry of Defence, sought to cool tensions as war rages in the Middle East.
On Saturday, Iran launched two missiles at the Diego Garcia military base, a joint British-American installation in the Chagos Islands, where US warplanes are now launching sorties on the Islamic regime.
An American ship successfully intercepted one of the strikes, whilst the other malfunctioned in flight and failed to reach its target.
This attack, launched from approximately 2,400 miles from Tehran, marks the first verified deployment of long-range ballistic missiles by the Iranian regime.
Following the attempted strike, Israel warned Keir Starmer and allied leaders that the Islamic Republic was capable of striking European capitals, including London.
According to the IDF's assessment, Iranian missiles can travel distances of 4,000 kilometres, placing nations across Europe, Asia and Africa within potential striking distance, representing an "immediate threat to the continent".
However, GB News was told at a briefing led by Lord Coaker on Tuesday morning that there was: “No intent on the part of Iran to target the UK”.
A Labour minister has assured that Iran 'has NO intention of striking the UK' just days after Tehran fired missiles target Chagos
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“That’s the public reassurance message we have made and will continue to make.”
While the Defence Minister did not address claims over Tehran’s ability directly, he added: “Israel said what it said.”
Stuart Crawford, a former British Army Lieutenant Colonel, felt Lord Coaker’s message did not fully address the threat from Iran.
“Iranian missiles dropping from the sky are unlikely, I agree, but attacks on Britain can take many forms, so there’s no room for complacency,” he told The People’s Channel.
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Israel has warned that London could be in range of Iranian missiles after the long-range assault on Diego Gracia
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He raised concerns over recent attacks in Europe and the UK, including the firebombing of Jewish volunteer ambulances in London on Monday, which may have had the backing of Tehran.
Lord Coaker was speaking on Iran while launching the Government’s new Defence Diplomacy Strategy.
Speaking in Whitehall, the Defence Minister said diplomacy was a “foundational” cornerstone of Britain’s defence.
“When the currency of hard power asserts itself, soft power becomes even more important, and that’s clear from what’s happening in the Middle East.”
Lord Coaker issued the statement while announcing the Government's Defence Diplomacy Stratgety
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“Our armed forces are protecting British lives, British interests and British friends and partners, working closely with these partners to minimise the impact of Iran's reckless strikes.
“That contribution is made possible by decades of careful British diplomacy and collaboration.
“By contrast, Iran's indiscriminate missile and drone attacks have demonstrated how few friends it has in the region, and how isolated it is on the world stage,” Lord Coaker said.
The new defence diplomacy programme includes a new training programme to equip military personnel with diplomatic and language skills while strengthening ties with allies.
'When the currency of hard power asserts itself, soft power becomes even more important, and that’s clear from what’s happening in the Middle East'
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It will also introduce the Defence Diplomacy Cadre, which will see more than 200 civilian policy officials trained in negotiation and diplomatic skills.
International military education will also be expanded, with nearly 600 students from over 100 countries receiving UK training.
Defence export staff based overseas will be integrated into a global network to drive sales under the new framework, expanding industrial capacity and supporting British jobs.
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