Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed the UK will not join US and Israeli offensive strikes during an address to the House of Commons.
The Prime Minister confirmed the decision is in accordance with international law, but it will remain under review.
"We are not joining the strikes, but we will continue our defensive action in the region," the PM said.
He also defended the Government's position on Iran, saying: "The only way to stop the threat is to destroy the missiles at source, in their storage depots, or at the launches."
In response, Kemi Badenoch said the Prime Minister "still cannot say whether he backs the strikes or not."
"Today, the president of the United States has taken the extraordinary step of rebuking the Prime Minister publicly, saying he took far too long to grant access," the Tory leader hit back, noting the Government's delay in allowing the use of shared military bases.
"We are told that this dither and delay is because of concerns over international law, but I am afraid that explanation simply does not hold."
The PM later refused MPs the opportunity to vote on future defensive military action, saying there was "no way" he could have waited for a decision from the House of Commons last night, because decisions must be made as "a matter of some urgency."
The address comes just hours after Donald Trump revealed he was "very disappointed" with the Prime Minister for his hesitation on the decision to allow shared US and UK bases.
The US President said: "It took far too much time. Far too much time.
"That’s probably never happened between our countries before. It sounds like he was worried about the legality."
The Prime Minister is also facing pressure from MPs after an attack against a Royal Air Force airfield in Cyprus.
Check out all of today’s political coverage from GB News below.
Scotland's First Minister says US attack on Iran is 'not compatible with the international rules-based system'
Scotland's First Minister has said the US-Israeli attack on Iran is "not compatible with the international rules-based system".
"I’m deeply concerned by the events in the Middle East over the weekend and I bear no warmth towards the Iranian regime," John Swinney told the Press Association.
"I think it is an oppressive and a repugnant regime, but when I look at the events of the last few days, it becomes evermore clear to me that the United States and Israeli action, the original action, is not compatible with the international rules-based system.
"As a consequence of that, the United Kingdom now finds itself getting dragged into this conflict, an illustration of how quickly these events can escalate from their original foundations and that’s deeply concerning."
When pressed on whether the action was legal, Mr Swinney refused to say.
Kemi Badenoch says she would have allowed US to use Diego Garcia 'from the start'
Kemi Badenoch has confirmed on social media that she would have allowed the US to use Diego Garcia, the shared military base on the Chagos Islands, "from the start".
The Tory leader wrote on X: "It's absurd Keir Starmer is surrendering the Chagos Islands and Diego Garcia military base when our allies need it most.
"I would have allowed the US to use the base from the start.
"The surrender of the Chagos Islands at the cost of £35bn is NOT in our national interest."
Labour MP accuses Keir Starmer of 'siding with Donald Trump' and 'dragging the UK into a wider conflict'
A Labour MP has accused Keir Starmer of "siding with" Donald Trump, and "dragging us into a wider conflict".
Richard Burgon said: "This is an extremely dangerous moment. Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya show where this can end up, with death, destruction, terror and chaos impacting tens of millions of people. Given that, shouldn’t the Government’s focus be on pushing Trump, Israel and Iran towards diplomacy, de-escalation and a ceasefire?
"And instead, by siding with Trump, hasn’t the Prime Minister risked dragging us into a wider conflict, which leaves us all less safe, and which could include mission creep, which will erode the distinction the Prime Minister is attempting to make between offensive and defensive actions, leading us embroiled fully in an illegal US war in the Middle East?"
Mr Burgon, MP for Leeds East, represents an increasing number of Labour backbenchers expressing concern that the UK's involvement in any conflict with Iran could lead to a second Iraq war.
Leeds was also the setting where Green Party deputy leader, Mothin Ali, attended a rally protesting against the killing of Ali Khamenei.
In response to the protests, the PM said: "I think we’re all shocked by the actions of deputy leader of the Green Party, perhaps not surprised, given their recent turn of direction, and it is important that all of us set our face against antisemitism. And I have to say, the argument that the Green Party makes that now is the time to get out of Nato and negotiate with Putin over our nuclear weapons is contrary to the British national interest."
PM confirms MPs will NOT vote on future defensive military action
Sir Keir Starmer confirmed today that MPs will not be given the opportunity to vote on future defensive military action.
The PM had been pressed on the matter by Labour MP John McDonnell, who asked: "When he stood for the leadership of the Labour Party, he very clearly set out that there would be a vote in this House on any decision about military action. Can I ask him to assure us, so that we don’t drift into this war, as we have in the past, that there will be a vote in this House?"
Sir Keir said there was "no way we could have waited for a debate or vote" in the House of Commons last night, nor would it be practical to do so moving forward, because decisions must be made at "very swift notice".
"There is no convention for a vote in relation to defensive action, only offensive action, and nor could there be. Realistically, defensive action has to be taken at very swift notice," the PM replied.
"I had to take a decision to deploy our pilots to the sky in order to defend our national interest and UK nationals. There is no way we could have waited for a debate or vote in the House. Equally last night, I had to take a decision about the deployment and use of bases, and to do that when it was important to do it as a matter of some urgency.
"But I agree with him, there must be a full debate in the House. But actually the vote in the House is in relation to deployment of military personnel for offensive expensive action."
Greens demand Labour publish legal advice on 'irresponsible and illegal' US attacks on Iran
The Greens have demanded the Government publish their legal advice on allowing US strikes on Iran, which they describe as "irresponsible and illegal".
"We condemn the deeply irresponsible and illegal attacks by the US and Israel on Iran, launched in the middle of nuclear negotiations, led by Trump - a clearly unstable, loose-cannon - and Netanyahu - a war criminal," Ellie Chowns, leader of the Greens in the Commons, said. "The UK must stand unequivocally against this reckless action."
Dr Chowns then called on the Government to publish the legal advice received ahead of the initial US strikes.
She also demanded the PM to commit to holding a vote "on any UK involvement in this war".
In response, Sir Keir Starmer said: "We are not at war. We are not getting involved in the offensive action that the US and Israel are taking."
He added that "it is not practice to publish legal advice or summaries in relation to defensive action."
Reform UK says US and Israel have 'done the West a huge favour'
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has praised the US and Israel, saying the two countries have "done the West a huge, huge favour" by bombing Iran and killing the Ayatollah.
Mr Tice described the Iranian regime as "dreadful", saying it has been a "permanent threat to British interests, and British citizens".
"They're spreading their extremist ideology and surely the prime minister understands that," he added.
"The United States and Israel has done the West a huge, huge favour in degrading the military capability of this terrible regime."
The West has been "left with no alternative", he said, after a decade of negotiations - though he believes Keir Starmer has "humiliated us on the international stage" through his failure to support the strikes.
Sir Keir Starmer replied by agreeing that the regime is "abhorrent", but he once again said he "simply and fundamentally disagrees" the idea British troops can be deployed on a mission that "would not be lawful".
'This government does not believe in regime change from the skies,' says PM
Sir Keir Starmer has appeared to take aim at US's offensive in Iran, saying that his Government "does not believe in regime change from the skies."
Kemi Badenoch earlier accused the PM of providing "no clarity" over the Government's position on the strikes, saying Sir Keir "still cannot say whether he backs the strikes or not."
The PM re-iterated several times during his Commons address that any decision the UK make must be on a "lawful basis".
Lib Dems accuse PM of 'failing to stand up' to Donald Trump amid Iran strikes
Sir Ed Davey has accused the Prime Minister of "failing to stand up to" to Donald Trump following the US-Iraeli offensive in the region.
"We have seen before what happens when an American president launches an illegal war with no idea how or when it is going to end, and we fear for what comes next," Sir Ed said.
The Lib Dems leader then asked: "Does the Prime Minister understand that when he fails to stand up to Trump, especially when he breaks international law, it makes our country less safe?"
It's worth noting he is firmly against any US operations in Iran, which he says was "unlawful".
Keir Starmer simply responds by repeating the explanation over the decisions that were made this weekend, and that they were not going to launch any offensives.
"I want to be clear that it is my duty - our duty - to protect all other UK nationals in the region, and we will endeavour to do everything we can in order to do so," the PM concludes.
Keir Starmer details decision to allow US use of shared military bases
The PM says they took two decisions this weekend. The first was whether they should join the Israeli-US offensive on Iran - the answer was no.
The second was whether they should permit the use of bases for the defensive purpose of the UK's allies - i.e. the US. The decision this time around was yes.
"I am clear in my mind that any UK action must have a lawful basis. It must also have a viable and thought-through plan," Sir Keir says.
He infers that Kemi Badenoch would have joined the initial strikes "whether they were lawful or not," and says he "fundamentally disagrees" with the Conservatives' position.
PM provided 'no clarity' on Iran strikes, says Tories
Kemi Badenoch has said the Government provided "no clarity" on their approach to the ongoing situation in Iran.
The Tory leader says she hopes for a "safer world" with the "future of Iran back in the hands of the Iranian people."
"But, that outcome is not guaranteed," she adds.
The Government provided "no clarity", she says, adding that "international law did not prevent our allies from clearly and unequivocally stating which side they were on."
"You don't need international law to say who's side you're on. It has not prevented UK Governments in the past from supporting strikes which we knew to be right."
Mrs Badenoch also asks for contingency plans for UK nationals.
Keir Starmer confirms ‘UK isn’t joining US strikes on Iran’
The Prime Minister confirmed the UK is not joining US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Setting out the UK’s involvement in offensive strikes on Iran following the death of Ali Khamenei on Saturday, Keir Starmer said: "To be clear, the use of British bases is limited to the agreed defensive purposes. We are not joining the US and Israeli offensive strikes."
"We will keep the decision under review," the Prime Minister added.
Keir Starmer addresses Commons on Iran
The PM is currently giving a speech on the ongoing situation in Iran.
He says it was a "deliberate" decision not to be involved in strikes on Iran. The UK believes in negotiations instead, the PM adds.
"The United Kingdom was not involved in the initial strikes on Iran by the US and Israel," Sir Keir said. "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."
The US President previously said Sir Keir "took far too long" to allow US forces to use its airbases to attack Iran, adding he was "very disappointed" at the PM.
Hannah Spencer sworn in as Gorton & Denton MP
Hannah Spencer sworn in as Green Party MP for Gorton & Denton
|PARLIAMENT.TV
Hannah Spencer has been sworn in as the MP for Gorton & Denton, becoming the fifth Green Party MP currently sitting in the Commons.
She joins Ellie Chowns (Herefordshire North), Carla Denyer (Bristol Central), Adrian Ramsay (Waveney Valley) and Siân Berry (Brighton Pavilion).
Green Leader Zack Polanski is not an MP, with Ms Chowns leading the party in the Commons.
Kemi Badenoch rejects calls for a Commons vote on Iran
Kemi Badenoch says there should not presently be a vote in the Commons on the UK involvement in the Iran crisis.
When asked by GB News if there should be a Commons vote on the crisis, the Conservative leader said: "I don't think we need a vote on this.
"Quite frankly, given this is the most left wing Parliament, with a lot of extremely silly people sitting there we should worry about allowing people like Zarah Sultana and so on to be voting on serious matters of national security.
"There is a place for MPs to vote but sometimes when things are moving quickly we can't spend time with lots of people giving speeches."
Kemi Badenoch says Iran would launch a catastrophic attack on the UK if it developed a nuclear weapon
Kemi Badenoch speaking earlier today
|PA
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."
Michelle O’Neill says it is 'absolutely the wrong call' to 'join war in Iran'
Stormont’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill has said it is "absolutely the wrong call" for the UK Government to "join in this war" in Iran.
Ms O’Neill also defended her decision not to attend a briefing on the situation alongside Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, who said she was told there are "many, many thousands of people" from Northern Ireland in countries being targeted by Iran.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson said he would not "argue the toss about whether the intervention of the weekend was legal or not", adding that the UK "should have been involved earlier."
Asked about her decision not to attend the briefing at the weekend with her Executive counterpart, Ms O’Neill said she has engaged with the UK and Irish Governments and her first priority remains seeing those travelling or working in the region “extracted from what is potentially a very dangerous and catastrophic situation."
The Sinn Féin politician said: "I think this is a reckless war. This is a war that should never have begun. Where is this all going to end? Because over the course of the last 48 hours things are really spiralling out of control.
"We see more and more countries are now engaged in this war. This is death, this is destruction. This is not going to bring about a peaceful outcome.
"What we need to see is dialogue, what we need to see is adherence to international law, what we need to see is conversation that actually brings this to an end and allows people to safely get on with their lives."
Anas Sarwar condemns his father after he praised Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Anas Sarwar has distanced himself from his father's comments
|PA
The leader of Scottish Labour has condemned his father for praising Iran’s "brutal" Ayatollah after he was killed in US-Israeli air strikes.
Anas Sarwar said Chaudhry Sarwar was "wrong" to post a tribute to Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, who has killed thousands of civilians in the country.
His father, a former Glasgow Labour MP and later the governor of Punjab, described the Islamist dictator as a "martyr."
He said the Muslim world had been deprived of a "strong voice of resistance" following his death on Saturday.
According to X’s translation of his tweet, which was in Urdu, Sarwar senior said: "Our hearts are saddened by the martyrdom of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
“The Muslim Ummah has lost a strong voice of resistance. May Allah grant him Paradise. We share the grief of the Iranian nation equally."
Speaking to reporters at Glasgow Airport, Mr Sarwar said he did not agree with his father’s comments.
“He’s wrong,” the Scottish Labour leader said.
Health minister with incurable cancer resigns from Government role for treatment
Health minister Ashley Dalton, who has advanced breast cancer, has resigned from her post, saying now is the time for her to make "reasonable adjustments" to manage her condition.
Ms Dalton, who has served as the MP for West Lancashire since 2023, told Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in her resignation letter she would be "forever grateful for the confidence you have shown in me."
She said: "Your Government has committed to making sure that people with long-term health conditions are supported and enabled to return to or continue to work where they can.
"It is so important that we recognise the value of all of us to contribute and participate and that we stop writing people off due to health or disability.
"My constituents deserve a Member of Parliament to represent them with diligence and conviction.
"Whilst my oral chemotherapy treatment will not stop me from being that champion for West Lancashire, I believe now is the right time to take the reasonable adjustments I need to both manage my condition and focus on being a constituency MP by stepping back from ministerial duties."
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he was sad to see Ms Dalton go but was "proud" of her decision and impact.
He said: "Ashley has been an outstanding minister and has been so in the face of extraordinary adversity. She has achieved more as a minister than many politicians achieve in their entire careers.
"I’m so sorry to lose her from our team, but proud of her decision and her impact."
Middle East Minister denies Keir Starmer has been 'fence-sitting' on Iran in GB News grilling: 'We are taking action!'
Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer has rejected accusations that the Government has been "fence-sitting" over backing US and Israeli military operations against Iran.
Speaking on GB News, the MP for Lincoln said: "The British Government is not on the fence. Throughout the weekend, we have been taking action to shoot down drones."
The Minister confirmed that Britain has entered into "specific and limited agreements" with American allies to enable action against Iranian missile launches.
Keir Starmer 'has no backbone' writes Kelvin Mackenzie
Kelvin Mackenzie has said Sir Keir Starmer "couldn’t wear braces because he hasn’t got a backbone" as he lashed out at the Prime Minister.
Writing for GB News members, the former Editor of The Sun said: "The man is a total charlatan.The about-turn makes him and the nation look beyond weak, but it will come as no surprise.
"As we all know, he has a history in this area. He emerged with a First from the School of U-turns and after 21 months in power has 16 distinctions."
GB News Members can read Kelvin's full analysis here.
Nigel Farage opposes British 'boots on the ground' in Iran - 'Huge mistake!'
Nigel Farage holds a press conference
|PA
Nigel Farage said he is opposed to putting British "boots on the ground" in support of regime change in Iran.
Asked whether he would back such a move, the Reform UK leader said: "I don’t want to do that. I think that would be a huge mistake."
Mr Farage made reference to Iranians who had been massacred in their tens of thousands during recent protests and said regime change would represent a "great liberation."
He added: "We couldn’t put boots on the ground, we have barely got an army left. Even if we wanted to do it, we don’t have the operational capacity to attempt anything on that scale that would be meaningful at all.
"I don’t want us to get dragged into it, but there is a heck of a lot what we can do to help and support our allies on this. If not boots on the ground, it is Royal Air Force, it is Royal Navy and it is intelligence."
Jeremy Corbyn says Britain has been 'dragged into' another war
Jeremy Corbyn has said Britain has been "dragged into" another war as he took aim at Sir Keir Starmer.
The Your Party parliamentary leader said: "Allowing British bases to be used in an illegal war of aggression is a catastrophic and historic mistake.
"Britain has been dragged into another war because our Prime Minister would rather appease Donald Trump than stand up for international law. War is not a game.
"This shameful decision makes Britain complicit in the devastating consequences ahead and jeopardises the safety of us all."
Keir Starmer to be accused of committing 'crime against humanity' in surrendering Chagos Islands
Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands is considered a strategic US-UK military base | GETTY
Sir Keir Starmer faces accusations of perpetrating "a crime against humanity" in forthcoming legal proceedings challenging his controversial agreement to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
The Prime Minister, who built his reputation as a human rights barrister, will find himself on the receiving end of such allegations when indigenous Chagossians bring their case before the courts on March 13.
Legal representatives for four islanders who travelled back to their ancestral homeland in February will argue that compelling the Chagossian population to abandon their native territory amounts to "genocide" under international legal definitions, reports The Independent.
Sir Ed Davey says Keir Starmer 'needs to get on the phone' with Donald Trump
Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey has said Donald Trump has "no interest" in the Iranian people a she urged Sir Keir Starmer to make contact with the White House.
Sir Ed said: "We have seen before the disastrous consequences of attempting regime change in the Middle East without a proper plan for what comes next.
"Chaos and suffering abroad, and greater threats to our security at home. I fear that Trump has no interest in the freedom of the Iranian people, just like he had no interest in democracy in Venezuela.
"Bombs and missiles alone will not bring about the change the Iranian people are crying out for.
“Keir Starmer should get on the phone to Donald Trump and ask him to set out a serious plan to protect civilians and support a transition to democracy in Iran.
"Britain should work with our allies to support the brave people of Iran who want to rebuild their country and bring an end to this appalling regime.”
Eluned Morgan says Plaid Cymru’s 'defining project' is independence
Eluned Morgan with Sir Keir
| PABaroness Eluned Morgan has told the launch of Welsh Labour’s Senedd campaign that Plaid Cymru’s "defining project" is independence.
She said: "What will their government be focused on from day one? However they dress it up, Plaid’s defining project is independence and they will start planning it from the day they get into power.
"Committees, commissions, white papers, timetables, political energy poured into separation, not delivery.
"If your first priority is a referendum, your second priority is everything else."
Scottish Labour would build rail link to Glasgow Airport
Scottish Labour would build a rail link with Glasgow Airport if it wins the next election, the party’s leader announced on Monday.
The project was considered in the early years of the SNP administration, but scrapped in 2009 by then finance secretary John Swinney, as a result of pressures caused by the financial crash.
In the years since, the plans featured in designs for the Clyde Metro, an expansive transport project covering Glasgow and surrounding areas, which is at an early phase.
Scottish Labour said on Monday the creation of the link would be a “national priority”.
Party Leader Anas Sarwar said: "For almost two decades, the SNP has wasted public money and kicked the can down the road on development of a Glasgow Airport rail link.
"In doing so, they have not only squandered millions of pounds of taxpayers’ cash, they have squandered the economic opportunities that such a project could bring.
"Most modern cities across Europe have a rail link to their main airports, and it is bizarre that Glasgow should still not have one in 2026, despite plans having been discussed nearly 20 years ago.
"A Scottish Labour government under my leadership would back the development of a rail link once and for all, ending the delay and wasteful spending of the SNP."
Yvette Cooper says 'I don't think anyone would mourn' Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
The death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was confirmed over the weekend
| GETTYForeign Secretary Yvette Cooper has said no one would mourn the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei but added the UK was not involved with what had happened.
Asked if the UK supports the way in which Iran’s de facto leader was killed, she told LBC: "No, that is not something that we were involved in."
When pressed if Labour supports the end result, Ms Cooper said: "I don’t think anyone would mourn what has happened, because this is obviously part of a regime that has been not only brutally pursuing its own citizens, but also supporting terrorist activity across the region, destabilising activity through proxies across the region.
"But it is not something that we were involved in."
Zack Polanski says Keir Starmer is 'unable' to stand up to Donald Trump
Zack Polanski has said there could be "serious consequences" for Britons after Sir Keir Starmer was "unable" to stand up to Donald Trump.
The Green Party leader said: "The events of the past 48 hours have laid bare Keir Starmer's utter inability to stand up to Donald Trump and this weakness could have serious consequences for the safety of British people.
"We now face being dragged into another illegal war in the Middle East which has now pulled in multiple countries. People in this country do not want this and it must not be allowed to happen.
"Starmer must withdraw permission for the US to use UK bases to launch airstrikes on Iran and parliament must be given a vote on any UK involvement."
Labour approves £1bn contract for helicopter maker Leonardo
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at defence contractor Leonardo UK i
|REUTERS
Labour has announced a £1billion contract with helicopter maker Leonardo, which it says will secure 3,300 British jobs.
As part of the deal, 23 new medium-lift helicopters will be provided by the company to the UK’s armed forces, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.
The contract also includes further investment in Proteus, the UK’s first autonomous uncrewed air system – which recently undertook its first flight and is made by Leonardo.
The Italian company’s plant in Yeovil, Somerset, was previously left in limbo as it awaited the Government’s decision on whether to award the contract.
Announcing the deal, Defence Secretary John Healey said it was a "major vote of confidence in British industry", while Chancellor Rachel Reeves described it as a “historic partnership”.
Mr Healey said: “This defence investment works for Britain on every level. It strengthens our Armed Forces, secures thousands of skilled British jobs, and sets up big export opportunities.
"It is a major vote of confidence in British industry, British workers and British innovation.
"This Government’s broad deal makes Yeovil the proud home of Leonardo’s global military helicopter production, building world-class helicopters for our forces and allies around the world for many years to come.
"It backs British jobs and security today and makes the UK a pace-setter in uncrewed, technology and innovation for tomorrow."
Evacuation plans being drawn up for Britons in the Middle East
Officials are understood to be working on plans for the potential evacuation of more than 100,000 Britons from the Middle East.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper indicated that 102,000 British nationals have registered their presence in the region.
She said a total of about 300,000 British citizens are in Gulf countries targeted by Iran.
British nationals are being 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 (UAE) 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.
UK is 'not at war with Iran' in the wake of an attack on an RAF base, says minister
The 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 the BBC an "unmanned drone" had hit the runway at RAF Akrotiri and 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.
"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."
Ftse and pound plummet immediately at market opening as Middle-East conflict ripples through Britain
The Ftse dropped considerably after opening | GETTY
The Ftse 100 plummeted 0.9 percentage points to 10,810.50 just minutes after opening at 8am.
London’s blue-chip index sank sharply from Friday’s record close of 10,910.55p.
The dramatic drop signals a broad fall in share prices, typically driven by weak earnings, poor economic data or growing investor pessimism.
Our Money Reporter Joe Sledge is keeping an eye on the markets this morning. You can read his report here.
Yvette Cooper says it is 'not in the UK's interests' to support the US and Israel's actions in Iran over the weekend
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."
James Cartlidge said the Tories would take the side of the US and Israel over Iran strikes
James Cartlidge on GB News this morning
|GB NEWS
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge told GB News the Conservatives would take the side of the US and Israel over the strikes on Iran if they were in Government.
The senior Tory said: "Labour is unable to say where they stand and sitting awkwardly on the fence.
"The Prime Minister now effectively u-turning to give permission in very different circumstances.
"I did say a few weeks ago if the US, our closest ally, judged that was now the time to take further action, then yes.
"If they asked permission for support and hypothetically we were in Government we would have granted that. We're very clear on that.
"It's disappointing to see the Prime Minister not giving strong leadership when our country desperately needs it."
Yvette Cooper says the Government is allowing US to use UK bases
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."
Children could face mandatory curfews on social media
Labour is planning to ban social media for under 16s | GETTY
Children could face mandatory curfews on their social media use under plans being considered by Labour.
A consultation is set to be launched later today Technology Secretary Liz Kendall is examining widespread measures to curb the impact of social media on young people's lives.
One of the touted measures is banning children from accessing social media at night to stop addictive apps and platforms from disrupting their sleep.
Here's what's happening today in Westminster
Good Morning. Here's what's happening today in Westminster and beyond.
All eyes are on the Middle East with Sir Keir Starmer's Government coming under increasing pressure to clarify its position over Britain’s involvement in Donald Trump’s war on Iran.
We'll be joined by the Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer later this morning.
Closer to home, our Political Editor Chris Hope sat down with the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood in Copenhagen for a wide ranging interview. You can read Chopper's interview here.
Later this morning, Reform's Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick will reveal a "scandal" involving Chancellor Rachel Reeves at 8.30am on social media. He'll also appear alongside party leader Nigel Farage a press conference from 11am.
As the fallout from losing the Gorton & Denton by-election to the Green Party's Hannah Spencer (who will be sworn in as the fifth Green MP later today) rumbles on, Sir Keir will use his address to the Parliamentary Labour Party at 6pm to try to convince his MPs to stand by him.
Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch will be making a keynote speech at Policy Exchange at 1.30pm, while Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth will be appearing at the Institute for Government to discuss devolution and Plaid’s vision for Wales.
Welsh Labour Leader Eluned Morgan will be announcing the party’s Senedd election pledges in a speech later today, with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar outlining his priorities for Scotland’s transport infrastructure.
Here on GB News, we'll be joined this morning by Mr Falconer, Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge and Shadow Defence Minister Mark Francois.