A coordinated diplomatic rebuke has been issued by Britain and its key allies following what they describe as Iran’s ‘gross violation’ of a fragile ceasefire in the Middle East. The condemnation comes as American airstrikes against Iranian-backed proxies intensify, raising fears of a wider regional conflagration.
The joint statement, released late Wednesday by the foreign ministries of the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the United States, accused Tehran of launching a series of attacks on civilian infrastructure in contravention of the ceasefire brokered three weeks ago. “These actions are a deliberate and unacceptable breach of international commitments,” the statement read. “Iran must cease all hostile activities immediately or face further consequences.”
White House officials confirmed that President Donald Trump authorised a fresh wave of precision strikes against Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) positions in Syria and Iraq early Thursday. The Pentagon described the targets as “command and control nodes used to coordinate attacks against coalition forces”. Initial reports suggest at least 12 IRGC personnel were killed in the operation.
British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps stopped short of confirming direct UK involvement in the strikes but said Britain “fully supports the right of our allies to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter”. Speaking to the House of Commons, he added: “Iran’s repeated violations cannot be tolerated. We are working with partners to ensure the ceasefire holds, but those who seek to undermine it must face accountability.”
The ceasefire, negotiated through Qatari and Egyptian intermediaries, had reduced hostilities between Israel and Iranian-sponsored militias in the Golan Heights for 22 days. However, the lull shattered on Tuesday when a drone strike killed three Israeli soldiers near the border, triggering Israeli retaliatory fire and the subsequent US airstrikes.
Iran’s mission to the United Nations denied any involvement, calling the accusations “baseless fabrications designed to justify American aggression”. Tehran has requested an emergency session of the Security Council, accusing Washington of “violating international law and endangering regional peace”.
Analysts warn the escalation could draw in other actors. Russia, which has deep military ties with Iran, called for restraint but did not condemn the strikes. China urged “all sides to exercise maximum calm”. The European Union, meanwhile, dispatched its foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to the region for emergency talks.
For Britain, the crisis tests its ability to maintain influence post-Brexit and amid strained relations with Washington over trade. Downing Street has stressed its commitment to the “rules-based international order” but faces pressure from backbench MPs to outline the legal basis for any UK military support.
As night fell over the Middle East, the sound of explosions was reported near the Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor, where militant groups linked to Iran have long operated. The ceasefire, once a rare diplomatic bright spot, now appears in tatters.
