LONDON – Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Thursday that Britain will dispatch four additional Typhoon fighter jets to Qatar amid escalating Middle East tensions, pushing back against criticism of the UK’s measured response to the Iran crisis.
The move bolsters a existing squadron in the Gulf state, enhancing defensive operations as doubts grow over Britain’s military posture following a drone strike on its Cyprus base and calls for more robust support from U.S. President Donald Trump for strikes on Iran.
At a press conference, Starmer insisted his government had preemptively positioned equipment across the region before the conflict ignited. “We have the right plan for defence,” he declared, emphasizing calm leadership to safeguard Britons through military and diplomatic resolve.
“My focus is providing calm, level-headed leadership in the national interest,” Starmer added. “That means deploying our military and diplomatic strength to protect our people, and having the strength to stand firm by our values and principles, no matter the pressure.”