Satellite images obtained by the Ministry of Defence confirm damage to 20 US military installations across the Middle East. The strikes, attributed to Iran, mark a significant escalation in the shadow war between Tehran and Washington. Whitehall sources say the intelligence community is 'on high alert', with Downing Street convening an emergency Cobra meeting for later today.
The images, analysed by GCHQ, show precision hits on key infrastructure: runways, fuel depots, and command centres. One official described the attacks as 'beyond anything we've seen in terms of scale and coordination'. The US has not yet confirmed retaliation, but a Pentagon statement is expected within hours.
For the British government, the calculus is delicate. The UK maintains a significant military presence in the region, including at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. A defence source told me: 'We're not a target tonight, but this changes the game. The Americans will want to hit back hard. We'll be asked to stand alongside them.'
Labour's shadow foreign secretary released a statement calling for 'calm heads' and 'full parliamentary scrutiny' before any UK involvement. Backbench MPs are already tabling questions. The mood in the Lobby is anxious: many remember the Iraq War debate's toxic legacy.
The Foreign Office has issued a travel warning for the Gulf states. Diplomats are being withdrawn from non-essential posts. The UN Security Council is expected to meet in emergency session tomorrow.
This is the moment the hawks in Washington have been waiting for. But Downing Street knows: a wider war would drag on a stretched UK military, spike oil prices, and dominate every headline until the next election. The PM is stuck between alliance obligations and domestic caution.
Watch for the US response. If it's surgical, Britain will likely offer logistical support. If it's massive, expect a Commons rebellion. The game is on.
