The death toll of US servicemen in the campaign against the Islamic regime in Iran has risen to six, the American military has confirmed.
"As of 4 pm ET, March 2, six US service members have been killed in action," Central Command wrote on X.
"US forces recently recovered the remains of two previously unaccounted-for service members from a facility that was struck during Iran's initial attacks in the region.
"Major combat operations continue. The identities of the fallen are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin notification."
Earlier, President Donald Trump paid tribute to the "heroic American service members who have been killed in action, and send our love and support to their families".
“In their memory, we continue this mission with ferocious, unyielding resolve to crush the threat this terrorist regime poses to the American people, and a threat, indeed it is."
The US leader has warned that a "big wave" was coming, teeing up a further increase in US action.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said that the "hardest hits are yet to come".
Goodnight
Thank you for following GB News' live coverage of events in Iran and beyond across Monday.
Tonight's live blog has now started - and you can follow the latest from the Middle East at the link below.
Man arrested for spying on US naval base by Greek authorities
Greek authorities have detained a 36-year-old man on suspicion of spying on a US naval base on Crete, a key American military hub in the eastern Mediterranean, officials said on Monday.
The suspect was arrested at Athens airport following intelligence gathered by the country’s security services. The investigation centres on activity linked to Souda Bay, which hosts facilities used by Greece, the United States and NATO.
The US aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford recently docked at the base for resupply before deploying to the Middle East.
Officials said a forensic examination of digital material was underway.
Photographs of the carrier were allegedly found on the man’s phone, while authorities are also examining possible contact with an individual in Iran via a mobile messaging application.
Strait of Hormuz open despite Iran threat, US Central Command declares
US Central Command has declared that the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for the world's oil supply, remains open.
Previously, the Islamic regime had said ships were no longer 'allowed' to pass through the vital shipping lane.
Israel begins second wave of strikes on Tehran
The Israeli military has announced it has begun a new wave of strikes on Tehran.
It came after the IDF issued an evacuation warning for residents in Tehran, particularly those residing near state broadcaster IRIB's headquarters.
Donald Trump sets date for US to 'crush' Iran as President issues IRGC warning
President Donald Trump has said the US is prepared to “go far longer” in its campaign against Iran as he addressed dignitaries at the White House this afternoon.
The US leader spoke on the progress of Operation Epic Fury, a joint operation with Israel to neutralise the Islamic Republic’s lethal capabilities, ahead of a medal awarding ceremony.
“Today, we grieve for the four heroic American service members who have been killed in action, and send our love and support to their families,” President Trump began.
“In their memory, we continue this mission with ferocious, unyielding resolve to crush the threat this terrorist regime poses to the American people, and a threat, indeed it is.
“We have the strongest and most powerful, by far, military in the world, and we will easily prevail. We're already substantially ahead of our time projections.
"We projected four to five weeks, but we have the capability to go far longer than that.
“We'll do it. Whatever it takes”.
US death in Iran campaign toll rises to six
The death toll of US servicemen in the campaign against the Islamic regime in Iran has risen to six, the military has confirmed.
"As of 4 pm ET, March 2, six US service members have been killed in action," Central Command wrote on X.
"US forces recently recovered the remains of two previously unaccounted-for service members from a facility that was struck during Iran's initial attacks in the region.
"Major combat operations continue. The identities of the fallen are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin notification."
Iran celebrates strike on oil tanker operating 'in unison with America'
A fuel tanker was ablaze in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday after being struck by two drones, according to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
The Guards said the vessel — named as Athen Nova, believed to refer to the Honduras-flagged asphalt tanker Athe Nova — had been operating “in unison with America”.
It did not explicitly say the drones were Iranian, though the incident was cited in an update on the Guards’ military operations.
The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most critical oil chokepoint, linking major Gulf producers including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
Islamic Revolutionary Guard says Ayatollah's killers will not be safe 'at home' in chilling new threat
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard has issued a chilling new threat, declaring that the killers of the Ayatollah will not be safe “even at home”.
The warning came from the Islamic Regime’s infamous Quds forces, which specialises in unconventional warfare and military intelligence operations.
Pete Hegseth issues veiled barb at Keir Starmer
US Secretary for War Pete Hegseth delivered a statement at the Pentagon on the ongoing conflict with Iran, slamming US allies for lack of involvement in the conflict.
Sir Keir Starmer granted the US access to UK bases for defensive purposes, after initially refusing the proposal.
Even with hundreds of thousands of Britons stranded in the Middle east and a strike at a British base in Cyprus, the UK government insist "the UK is not at war".
Middle East minister Hamish Falconer told BBC Radio Scotland the unmanned drone that hit the runway at RAF Akrotiri had inflicted “relatively limited damage”.
He said: "Let me be really clear, the UK took a deliberate decision not to be part of the first wave of strikes conducted by the United States and Israeli governments".
US military hits out at 'false messaging' on aircraft carrier
The US military's Central Command has hit out at a "false messaging" campaign from the Iranian regime concerning strikes on an American aircraft carrier.
"The Iranian regime’s false messaging machine continues to falsely claim that it has sunk a U.S. aircraft carrier," Centcom wrote on X.
"The TRUTH: The only carrier that has been hit is the Shahid Bagheri, an Iranian drone carrier. U.S. forces struck the ship within hours of launching Operation Epic Fury."
Donald Trump set to speak in public this afternoon
President Donald Trump is set to speak this afternoon at the White House. He will be joined by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine.
It is not known what the nature of the address will be, but earlier today, he offered further information on the US campaign against Iran.
“We haven’t even started hitting them hard. The big wave hasn’t even happened. The big one is coming soon,” the US president said, signalling a further escalation in the military operation.
Mr Trump reaffirmed his prediction that the conflict would last around four weeks, adding that operations were “a little ahead of schedule”.
He told CNN that the opening strikes had killed 49 Iranian leaders, but said he did not know who would succeed Ali Khamenei as supreme leader.
On the prospect of regime change, Mr Trump said the US was taking steps beyond the battlefield to support Iranians seeking to overthrow the regime, but cautioned: “Right now we want everyone staying inside,” warning that conditions were unsafe and likely to deteriorate further.
Prime Minister says he does not support 'regime change form the air'
Keir Starmer has told the Commons that he does not believe that efforts to depose the Iranian regime through a US and Israeli air campaign would work.
"This government does not believe in regime change from the skies," the Prime Minister said, emphasising that military action needed a lawful basis and a "viable thought-through plan, with an objective that can be achieved."
"They're the principles that I applied to the decision not to get involved in the offensive strikes of the US and Israel."
Keir Starmer 'stands by' decision to not support US strikes on Iran
Keir Starmer has said he "stands by" his decision to keep the UK out of the US and Israel campaign against the Iranian regime.
He clarified his stance before the Commons after Britain's sovereign base on Cyprus, RAF Akrotiri, was hit by a suspected drone strike.
“The United Kingdom was not involved in the initial strikes on Iran by the US and Israel. That decision was deliberate.
"We believe that the best way forward for the region and for the world is a negotiated settlement in which Iran agrees to give up any aspirations to develop a nuclear weapon and ceases its destabilising activity across the region.
“That has been the long-standing position of successive British governments. President Trump has expressed his disagreement with our decision not to get involved in the initial strikes, but it is my duty to judge what is in Britain’s national interest.
"That is what I’ve done, and I stand by it.”
Two Iranian jets shot down by Qatar
Two Iranian fighter jets have been shot down today, Qatar has announced.
The aircraft were Sukhoi Su-24 tactical bombers, originally developed in the Soviet Union.
Catch up: Conflict in the Middle East today
Smoke rises from a fire, as the Israel-Iran air war continues, in Tehran, Iran | REUTERSChina reportedly 'dramatically increase' naval capability amid Middle East conflict
US Navy intelligence reportedly claimed Chinese Navy “dramatically increased” submarine production and could soon deploy Type 096 capable of hitting "large portions" of US with nuclear missiles.
China’s foreign minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart on a call Monday that Beijing supports Tehran defending itself against US-Israeli strikes, as war spread across the Middle East.
Wang told Abbas Araghchi that Beijing “cherishes the traditional friendship between China and Iran, supports Iran in defending its sovereignty, security, territorial integrity, and national dignity, and supports Iran in protecting its legitimate rights and interests”, state broadcaster CCTV reported.
China had “urged the US and Israel to immediately cease military operations, avoid further escalation of tensions and prevent the conflict from spreading to the entire Middle East region”, Wang reportedly said.
Wife of Iranian Supreme Leader reportedly killed 'at home'
Iran state TV Channel Two has reported that Mansoureh Khojaste Bagherzadeh, wife of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has also been killed “at home”.
Iranian outlets had previously reported that Bagherzadeh was in a coma, and that Khamenei’s daughter, grandchild and son-in-law have been killed.
Khamenei was killed on Saturday, and he and his wife had six children, four sons and two daughters.
Israeli Prime Minister arrives at site of Beit Shemesh blast
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently at the site of a fatal Iranian ballistic missile strike from Iran on Sunday.
The blast, at Beit Shemesh - between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem - saw a missile manage to get through the Israeli defence system and destroyed a synagogue
The strike saw nine Israelis killed, including three teenagers.
Emirates among airlines to resume flights in Middle East this evening
Emirates said it will resume operating “a limited number of flights” on Monday night, with the Dubai-based airline among the first to reopen flights in the region.
It said in a statement: “Emirates will begin operating a limited number of flights commencing on the evening of March 2.
“We are accommodating customers with earlier bookings as a priority, and those who have been rebooked to travel on these limited flights will be contacted directly by Emirates.
“Please do not go to the airport unless you have been notified. All other flights remain suspended until further notice".
Lebanon struck by IDF with huge smoke plumes over capital
Lebanon struck with 'broad wave' of attacks by IDF
|GETTY
The IDF is carrying out further strikes on Hezbollah targets throughout Lebanon, with a large explosion in Dahieh, a stronghold of Iran-affiliated Hezbollah.
The IDF has issued an “urgent” evacuation warning for buildings in the south of Beirut, with reports in the last hour of huge plumes of smoke rising into the sky.
The United States has urged its citizens in Lebanon to leave the country immediately.
"We urge US citizens not to travel to Lebanon. If you are in the country, depart Lebanon NOW while commercial flight options remain available," the US Embassy in Beirut writes on X.
"The security situation in Lebanon is volatile and unpredictable. Airstrikes have occurred throughout the country, especially in the south, the Beqaa, and parts of Beirut".
Elsewhere, the IDF has launched a 'broad wave' of attacks in the heart of Tehran.
Tory leader backs troops in Middle East and warns of 'catastrophic' attack on UK if Iran held nuclear weapons
Kemi Badenoch has warned Iran would launch a catastrophic attack on the UK if it developed a nuclear weapon, as she appeared to back British troops being deployed in the Middle East conflict.
She said: “I do not want to see a situation where we are sending British troops, people’s sons and daughters, to war when we are not clear what is going on.
“With Iran it is very, very clear what is going on and we can’t just bury our heads in the sand like ostriches and hope that if we just do nothing, the problem will go away.
“I do not want to see an Iran that has nukes because if they do have nukes, we will be nuked.
“That is very clear. That is what we need to explain to many people who may not understand the specifics of the situation of the details.
“We need to be honest about that. Sir Keir Starmer does not know what he believes. I know what I believe and I am able to say so.”
Kemi Badenoch slams PM's initial refusal to let US use base to target Iran
Kemi Badenoch has accused Sir Keir Starmer of a “party political calculation” with his initial refusal to allow the UK-US Diego Garcia base to be used to target Iran.
Delivering a speech at the Policy Exchange think tank, the Tory leader said British people “will be wondering why our country’s response has been so weak”.
She added: “The real explanation is not legal, it is political.
“Across the UK there are groups whose political loyalties when it comes to conflicts in the Middle East do not align with British national interests.
“These are people who Labour sees as their voters because without them, they cannot stay in power.
“This is not international law or principle, it is pure partisan political calculation from a Labour Party that has surrendered its right to govern our country, and it is the reality of decades of failed integration policy".
Europe 'absolutely supportive' of US action in Iran, says Nato Secretary General
Secretary General of Nato Mark Rutte, said Europe is "absolutely supportive" of US action in Iran.
He told the BBC Iran is a "threat" to Europe, Israel and its surrounding region - adding that Europe is "really stepping up" in the wake of this weekend's operations in Iran.
Asked whether Keir Starmer's decision to allow the US to use UK bases for "defensive" strikes on Iran came too late, he says his understanding is that "legal things" had to be worked through before permission could be granted.
When asked whether he knew about the US-Israeli strikes on Iran ahead of time, Mr Rutte says he does not publicly discuss these details.
That said, he insists he has had "many conversations" with US officials, and that Washington and Nato "coordinate closely".
Dubai airspace reportedly reopens for flights to repatriate Britons
Flights out of Dubai have reportedly resumed after being grounded over the weekend due to Iranian air strikes in the region.
Hundreds of thousands of Britons have been stranded across the Middle East, as airlines including EasyJet and British Airways ceased flights.
With airspace reopening, stranded Britons will be able to return to the UK.
US expected to 'take more losses' as 'Operation Epic Fury' begins
Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke at the Pentagon
|GB News
Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, expects the US to take more losses in the ongoing conflict with Iran, he said at the Pentagon.
Caine expresses his condolences to the US personnel killed and wounded in the operation.
"We expect to take additional losses and as always, we will work to minimise US losses," he says.
Caine says that on Saturday, at 01.15 ET (09.45 Tehran time, 06.15 GMT), "Operation Epic Fury" began, adding that it won't be a single overnight mission.
He also says the operation involves the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard, working in co-operation with the Israeli military.
"And the flow of forces continues today," he says, adding that additional forces are coming.
He claimed US and Israeli strikes have already resulted in "local air superiority" across Iran.
He said that the air superiority would help better protect US forces and allow them to continue their work.
US cyber and space operations have "continuously layered effects to disrupt disorient and confuse the enemy," he says.
'We set the terms of this war, from start to finish', says US Defence Secretary
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks on conflict with Iran
| REUTERSUS Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is delivering a statement at the Pentagon on the ongoing conflict with Iran, where he said: ""We didn't start the war, but under President Trump, we are finishing it".
He says the Iranian regime has been waging war against the US "for 47 long years", and called the US air operation against Iran "the most lethal, most complex and more precise aerial operation in history".
"They did it through the blood of our people. Car bombs in Beirut, rocket attacks on our ships, murders at our embassies, roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan funded and armed by Iranian Quds Force and IRGC killers," he said.
Hegseth says Iran "was building powerful missiles and drones to create a conventional shield for their nuclear blackmail ambitions," again attributing the threat of Iran to their military capability.
"Iran had a conventional gun to our head as they tried to lie their way to a nuclear bomb".
He claimed that himself and President Trump were the single protection against the treat Iran poses the US and it's allies.
Fourth American service member killed amid Iran attacks
A fourth US service member wounded during Iran's initial attacks has "succumbed to their injuries", the US Central Command says.
The soldier, who has not yet been named, was seriously wounded during Iran's initial attacks and later died.
"Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing", UCC added.
US President Donald Trump warned more casualties were to be expected after announcing an initial three US service members had been killed.
He said: "Sadly, there will likely be more before it ends. That's the way it is likely to be more. But we'll do everything possible where that won't be the case".
Greece sending two warships to Cyprus after Iranian attacks
Greece's Foreign Minister has announced that his country will be sending two warships and two F-16s to Cyprus following Iran's attacks on Britain's RAF bases on the island.
Nikos Dendias announced the decision a short while ago, saying: "Following the provocative attack against the Republic of Cyprus, we are sending the warship 'KIMON' alongside a second warship that will be equipped with the 'Centaur' weapons system.
"In addition, we are also sending Cyprus two F-16s in order to assist in its defence against any threats.
"In order to continue working closely together, I will be travelling to Cyprus tomorrow, alongside general Dimitrios Houpis, where we will meet with President Nikos Christodoulides and Vasilis Palmas."
Head of Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters killed, confirms IDF
The head of Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters in Beirut has reportedly been eliminated, claims the IDF.
The IDF confirms that in a precise strike in Beirut last night, the terrorist Hussein Makled, who served as the head of Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters, has been killed.
Second attack at RAF base 'intercepted', says Cypriot government
A second attack was launched on a British military base in Cyprus this morning, according to the Cypriot government.
Two unmanned drones heading towards RAF Akrotiri have been "successfully intercepted", a spokesman said.
Air raid sirens sounded at the base before the attack, which came under fire by Iranian drones targeting the runway overnight.
Trump 'very disappointed' in Keir Starmer for initial refusal of base access to target Iran
Donald Trump said he was “very disappointed” in Sir Keir Starmer for initially refusing to allow the use of the UK-US Diego Garcia base to target Iran.
The US president said it “took far too long” for the Prime Minister to change his mind.
Mr Trump highlighted the issues around Diego Garcia, in the Chagos Islands, which are at the centre of a diplomatic row between the UK, US and Mauritius in a Telegraph interview.
The US president criticised the refusal to grant permission to use the base for the initial strikes against Iran’s military and leadership.
“That’s probably never happened between our countries before,” he said, adding: “It sounds like he was worried about the legality.”
Referring to Sir Keir’s change of position, he added: “It is useful. It took far too much time. Far too much time.”
EasyJet cancels ALL flights to and from Cyprus as international airport evacuated
EasyJet has cancelled all its flights to and from Cyprus today due to a suspect object detected on radar at Paphos airport this morning.
The UK’s biggest airline axed two inbound and two outbound flights connecting Paphos with London Gatwick and Manchester, and one inbound and one outbound flight between Larnaca and London Gatwick.
It comes after an Iranian drone strike at RAF Akrotiri on Sunday at around midnight local time (22:00 GMT).
The base is located on the south of the island, with Larnaca to the east and Paphos to the west - the latter reportedly evacuated this morning due to a suspect object detected on radar.
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Three aircraft shot down over Kuwait due to apparent 'friendly fire' incident
It has been confirmed that three F-15 fighter aircraft were shot down over Kuwait due to an apparent friendly fire incident.
Reports indicate all pilots bailed out safely and were taken to hospital where they are all in a stable condition.
Senior Iranian intelligence officials reportedly killed by IDF
In a new statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says it has killed Sayed Yahya Hamidi, Iran's deputy minister of intelligence for Israel affairs.
Jalal Pour Hossein, head of the espionage division at the ministry of intelligence, was also killed, along with other "regime officials", it says.
It does not detail how, when or where they were killed.
It also adds that Iran's ministry of intelligence headquarters in Tehran was struck "a short while ago".
Plans to evacuate more than 100,000 Britons from Middle East
Officials are understood to be working on plans for the potential evacuation of Britons from the Middle East, with 102,000 British nationals registering their presence in the region.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said a total of about 300,000 British citizens are in Gulf countries targeted by Iran, with British nationals advised to follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor the Foreign Office’s travel advice, which officials expect to change rapidly.
Those in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have been urged to register their presence with the Foreign Office online.
The Government has used the registration scheme before to provide urgent updates to people affected by international crises, but it has not previously needed to deal with so many people in so many different countries.
It is understood any repatriation of UK nationals would likely be organised by the Foreign Office, with one potential route involving people travelling by land to Saudi Arabia from where they could board flights.
Qatar cuts ties with Iran for 'blatant attack on our people'
Qatar is no longer engaging with the Iranian government, the country's foreign ministry has confirmed.
A spokesperson told CNN that Iran had targeted the country's civilian infrastructure, including its international airport, and that Qatari fighter jets had downed drones and other projectiles.
"An attack like this cannot be left without retaliation," they said, adding Iran "has to pay a price for this blatant attack on our people".
Attack on nuclear facilities in Iran sparks concern of radiation leak
Iran's ambassador to the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency said that US and Israeli strikes targeted nuclear facilities yesterday.
When asked which nuclear facilities were attacked, the ambassador said Natanz, which is in the central Isfahan province.
The global nuclear watchdog warned it "cannot rule out a possible radiological release with serious consequences", including evacuations.
Calling the situation "very concerning", Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said the watchdog had not been able to reach Iran's nuclear authorities yet, but efforts to contact them continue.
"So far, no elevation of radiation levels above the usual background levels has been detected in countries bordering Iran," Grossi said.
More than 500 killed in Iran since strikes began
At least 555 people have been killed in Iran since the US-Israeli strikes began on Saturday morning, said the Red Crescent Society - up from the previous estimate of about 200.
That number includes at least 165 people killed at a girls' school in southern Iran, where across the Middle East, dozens of people have been killed as Iran launches retaliatory strikes and the conflict expands.
UK is 'not at war' with Iran despite attack on RAF base
Hamish Falconer said the UK is 'not at war with Iran'
| ITVThe UK is not at war with Iran, a Government minister has said, in the wake of an attack on an RAF base in Cyprus.
Middle East minister Hamish Falconer told BBC Radio Scotland the unmanned drone that hit the runway at RAF Akrotiri had inflicted “relatively limited damage”.
But asked if the UK was now at war, he said: “The UK is not at war.
“Let me be really clear, the UK took a deliberate decision not to be part of the first wave of strikes conducted by the United States and Israeli governments.
“But in the face of reckless attacks from Iran on a whole range of allies in the region - those are Gulf allies in which there are many, many UK nationals, probably 300,000 - and in response to requests from those Gulf allies, we took the decision, as the Prime Minister announced last night, to support the US’s request to use our bases in order to conduct defensive actions.
“There are ballistic missile launches in Iran, pointed at the Gulf and it is vital that those missile launches are taken out in the face of these completely reckless attacks".
At least 31 people killed in Israeli strikes this morning
At least 31 people killed in Israeli strikes
|REUTERS
Images have emerged from Lebanon following Israeli strikes inside the country this morning.
The Israel Defense Forces said it was striking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon after the militant group fired rockets into Israel.
Lebanese officials say at least 31 people have been killed in Israeli strikes so far this morning.
Support for US strikes on Iran 'not in the UK's interests' says Foreign Secretary
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has said it was “not in the UK’s interests” to support the US attack on Iran over the weekend.
She told Times Radio: “I think our guiding issue has been about UK interests and about what we think is the right way forward.
“And our assessment was that it was not in the UK’s interests to provide support for the action that took place over the weekend.
“But it is in UK interests and it is the right thing to do – given how many British citizens that we have in the region - to support this defensive action now".
Multiple US warplanes crashed in Kuwait with all pilots safe
Several American warplanes crashed in Kuwait this morning, the country’s defence ministry said.
Reports indicate all pilots bailed out safely and are been checked up on at a hospital, and are all in a stable condition.
It is not clear what caused the US warplanes to crash, but the incident came during an intense period of Iranian fire targeting the country.
The defence ministry said it is continuing investigations into the “causes of the incident".
More than 100,000 Britons registered their presence in the Middle East
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper indicated that more than 100,000 Britons had now registered their presence in the Middle East.
She told BBC Breakfast: “The latest figure I have from this morning is we have 102,000 people who have responded to our proposal to ask people to register their presence so we know where they are, particularly in these Gulf countries that have been targeted, so we know where they are and so that we can get them rapid information.
“In many of these countries the airspace is currently closed because of the Iranian attacks, this is deeply stressful, obviously, for people because we’re talking about a lot of people who are holidaymakers, who were transit passengers just passing through or people on business visits to the region and who we want to make sure can get safely home".
US allowed to use bases to attack missile sites for 'defence' reasons
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has said the Government is allowing the US to use bases to attack missile sites for “defence” reasons.
She told Sky News: “This is about the defence of our partners in the Gulf and defence of countries where we have so many British citizens and interests in those those countries.
“We continue to believe that we want to seek negotiated solution, a diplomatic process.
“That’s always been our view and it’s one of the reasons why we made a deliberate decision not to be involved or provide support for the US strikes that took place over the weekend.
“It’s a specific, limited agreement about the defence of Gulf countries, and many of those Gulf countries were not involved in any of the strikes on Iran.
“And so, for example, it doesn’t mean political and economic and infrastructure targets, but there is a significant issue about ballistic missiles and launchers that are effectively pointed at the Gulf, pointed at our partner countries and countries where we have so many British citizens.
“So to not provide support that the US have specifically asked for, for that defensive operation, I think would not be the right thing to do just when we have so many British citizens there".
'Precautionary measures' following drone strike on RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said “precautionary measures” were being taken following the drone strike on RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
She told Sky News: “This is an unmanned drone strike, specifically on the airport runway and we’re not able to provide further information and detail at this point.
“But obviously all of the precautionary measures are being taken around the base.”
UK working on 'every possible option' to protect Britons trapped in the Gulf, says Foreign Secretary
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the UK was working on “every possible option” to protect Britons trapped in the Gulf, including a mass evacuation.
She told Sky News there were around 300,000 British citizens in Gulf countries targeted by Iran.
She said: “We are setting up the support systems because as well as the 94,000 people who have been in touch when we set up the ‘register your presence’ system, there’s an estimated 300,000 British citizens in Gulf countries that have now been targeted by Iran, including countries where now airspace is closed as a result of those attacks.
“That is, of course, extremely stressful for people who include holidaymakers and transit passengers at airports, people who have gone there for business trips, as well as those who live in the region as well.
“So we’re saying to people, the most important thing at the moment is to follow the local advice, which in most places is around sheltering in place, and we are sending out rapid deployment teams to the region to work with the travel industry, to work with local governments as well, to make sure that citizens can get support.
“Of course, we want people to get safely home as swiftly as possible".
Asked if evacuation plans were being drawn up she said: “We are working on every possible option".
Chaos as American F-15 shot down in FRIENDLY FIRE incident over Kuwait
An American F-15 fighter jet has been shot down in a suspected incident of friendly fire over US ally Kuwait.
Video circulating on social media appears to show the jet spiralling to the ground from multiple angles.
In extraordinary further footage, the aircraft's pilots can be seen walking away from the crash site after ejecting mid-air.
US authorities have not yet commented on the crash.
RAF Akrotiri issues major update after 'Iranian drone strike'
A temporary dispersal of RAF Akrotiri is being planned
|REUTERS
The Sovereign Base Areas Administration, which oversees RAF Akrotiri and Dhekelia in Cyprus, has just confirmed a "temporary dispersal" of the base will soon be underway after Sunday night's drone strike.
In a statement, it said that as a precautionary measure, a "temporary dispersal" of non-essential personnel from Akrotiri is being planned.
"We understand in the wider British Bases community that people are concerned and that some residents have decided to leave Akrotiri village. Whilst we appreciate people may be worried, we do not believe this is necessary and temporary dispersal only applies to RAF Akrotiri Station."
'We will NOT negotiate with the United States' rages Iran's security chief
Iran's top security chief Ali Larijani has outright ruled out fresh talks with the US after the American-Israeli blitz on his country's military and leadership.
Mr Larijani said bluntly: "We will not negotiate with the United States" amid reports in the US that he had pushed for new nuclear talks.
The security heavyweight - now one of the highest-ranking in the country - accused Donald Trump of "plunging the region into chaos with his 'delusional fantasies'" and turning his "America First" slogan into "Israel First".
JUST IN: UK plans 'biggest mass evacuation in a generation' of Britons stranded in Middle East
Britain is planning what could be the largest mass evacuation in a generation of Britons who remain stranded in the Middle East as a result of the chaos in Iran.
At least 94,000 Britons in the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf nations have now registered their locations and contact details with the Foreign Office.
Sir Keir Starmer, meanwhile, has said there are around 200,000 Britons within the region, either on holiday or travelling...
Iranian state TV shows off underground vault of drones in chilling propaganda clip
Iran's Fars news agency has showed off footage of rows and rows of Shahed loitering drones
|FARS
Iran's Fars news agency has showed off footage of rows and rows of Shahed loitering drones stored underground in tunnels.
The Islamic Republic boasted of columns of the drones lying in wait below the ground, with some mounted on rocket launchers, underneath walls adorned Iranian flags and images of the dead Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Israel now orders massive evacuation of towns in Lebanon
Israel has ordered residents of at least 50 Lebanese towns to flee as far as one kilometre away.
The order comes after Hezbollah launched projectiles at Israel on Sunday evening, bringing Lebanon into this weekend's conflict for the first time.
The terror group said in a statement: "The resistance leadership has always emphasised that the continuation of Israeli attacks and the assassination of our leaders, youth, and people gives us the right to defend ourselves and respond at the appropriate time and place."
In response, Israel said its IDF would "operate against Hezbollah’s decision to join the campaign, and will not enable the organization to constitute a threat to the State of Israel".
MoD finally addresses RAF Akrotiri attack
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "Our Armed Forces are responding to a suspected drone strike at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus at midnight local time.
"Our force protection in the region is at the highest level and the base has responded to defend our people.
"This is a live situation and further information will be provided in due course."
Israel uses British-style laser weapon to down Hezbollah rockets - reports
Israel appears to have used a laser-based air defence system to intercept Hezbollah rockets.
In footage circulating online, there are no visible interceptor missiles striking the incoming rockets, like Israel's Iron Dome.
Instead, the projectiles are seen exploding mid-air, in what local reports have pinned on a focused laser beam targeting and neutralising them in flight.
Britain is developing a similar weapon, named DragonFire, in a bid to cheapen the cost of downing drones in the air.
Israel hits back at Hezbollah terrorists with strikes in Lebanon
MAPPED: Israel and the Palestinian territories
| GB NEWSThe Israeli military has begun striking Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah across Lebanon.
Explosions were heard in the southern suburbs of Lebanon's capital, Beirut - a Hezbollah stronghold.
Israeli forces extraordinarily killed the group's leader Hassan Nasrallah, who led it for more than 30 years, in late 2024.
Donald Trump returns to White House after outlining plans for Iran
Donald Trump has returned to the White House just minutes ago
|REUTERS
Donald Trump has returned to the White House just minutes ago after spending the weekend at his Mar-A-Lago base in Florida.
From his resort, Mr Trump oversaw American strikes on Iran - and the chaos which has followed - and on Sunday night outlined his plans for the Middle East.
In a video posted to his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump said three US service members had been killed and said there would likely be more casualties - and vowed to avenge the deaths of Americans.
"Combat operations continue at this time in full force, and they will continue until all of our objectives are achieved. We have very strong objectives," the President said.
As Cyprus sits in the firing line... Hezbollah launches 'projectiles' at Israel
Hezbollah is said to have launched projectiles at Israel this evening, bringing Lebanon into this weekend's conflict for the first time.
The Israeli military said that projectiles launched from Lebanon resulted in sirens sounding in several areas in northern Israel.
Israel and Lebanon agreed to a US-brokered ceasefire in 2024, ending more than a year of fighting between Israel and Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah that had culminated in Israeli strikes that severely weakened the Iran-backed group.
Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy group, voiced its solidarity with Iran on Saturday but stopped short of saying whether it would get involved.
The Israeli military added in a follow-up statement that it intercepted a launch while other projectiles fell in open areas.