In a dramatic turn of events, a British military base in northern Iraq faced a swarm of Iranian drones last night, causing injuries among Coalition Forces. Meanwhile, RAF pilots were actively engaged in missions over the conflict zone.
The drone attack set parts of the camp ablaze, although several other projectiles were successfully intercepted before causing further damage.
This morning, Britain’s Defence Secretary issued a call for peace in the Middle East as tensions escalated, leading to the Strait of Hormuz being blocked and additional ships coming under threat.
John Healey highlighted that the ongoing conflict primarily benefits Russia’s Vladimir Putin, who profits from rising oil prices, thereby enhancing his war treasury.
Healey’s urgent appeal for a reduction in hostilities followed the attack on the British and Coalition Forces’ base by Iranian drones.
Fortunately, no UK troops were harmed, thanks to British anti-drone experts who managed to intercept the incoming threats. However, some U.S. personnel sustained injuries, though none were life-threatening.
Healey also hinted efforts were underway behind the scenes to find a negotiated settlement to the war which has cost more than 1,500 lives and threatens a humanitarian disaster.
While the Royal Navy could contribute to patrols protecting cargo ships and oil tankers transiting the Strait, Healey said these were ‘early day’ and no ships have been readied for such a mission.
Defence Secretary John Healey is given a briefing as he meets military personnel during a visit to the Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, North West London, today
According to the Defence Secretary, ending the conflict is the best way to reopen the vital waterway.
Healey also urged the public not to draw conclusions about the United States’ intentions from the bellicose statements and memes produced for social media.
His US counterpart, the bombastic Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, has led the American propaganda charge.
Hegseth’s press conferences have attracted criticism for bragging about killing, dismissing Rules of Engagement and any concerns about International Law.
US defence officials have also created video clips and memes merging war footage with scenes from Hollywood war movies, blending the real and the imaginary.
Speaking on a visit to the UK’s military planning hub at RAF Northwood, Healey said: ‘Every conflict has to come to an end and to a conclusion. Every politician I have ever met has recognised they cannot solve problems fully with military action. There has to be an end to the fighting.
‘Do not take Twitter feeds of figures of the US… They are doing a great deal. Nobody wants a situation where the Strait of Hormuz is closed, where international oil prices are at more than $100 a barrel. Nobody except Putin. Everyone else is concerned about it.
‘Putin is clearly more likely to welcome [the situation] more than anyone else. The purpose of governments like ours is to make sure we are responsive. We must also keep the keenest eye on the other threats we face. Foremost for me is the responsibility to continue supporting Ukraine.’
Defence Secretary John Healey at the Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, North West London, today where he received an operational update on the Middle East situation
This morning Healey was briefed by British commanders at Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ), Lieutenant General Nick Perry and Brigadier Guy Foden.
He was told how there were further US casualties in northern Iraq from Iranian attacks and that RAF pilots had flown sorties overnight over the UAE, Jordan and Qatar.
Healey asked commanders whether there was evidence of Russia stepping up its support for Iran and was told how Tehran is mirroring Moscow’s attacks in Ukraine.
Tehran has adopted the same tactics, ensuring their drones approach their targets at low altitude to avoid detection.
Iran has previously supplied Russia with tens of thousands of Shaheed one-way attack drones. Russian technology is used in the navigation systems.
As Healey told reporters: ‘We have seen this axis of aggression, with Russian firing 60,000 drones into Ukraine. We have seen the same tactics by Iran. These countries like to menace their neighbours. Nobody will be surprised to hear Putin’s hidden hand is behind these tactics.’
The Defence Secretary accused Iran of a ‘major escalation’ by mining the waterway which is vital for global trade. The UK already has deployed anti-mine drones in the region and is poised to send more.
Healey defended the withdrawal of the HMS Middleton from the region for what he described as ‘routine maintenance’ and suggested the ship would have been redundant had she remained in the warzone.
He said: ‘I have seen reports of ships being attacked and Iran mining the Strait. We have some autonomous mine-hunting systems and we are discussing sending more.
‘Any ship like a car needs maintenance. It [HMS Middleton] was brought back to Britain for that. It is very difficult to de-mine in those waters without the de-escalation of the conflict.’
On Britain’s contribution to the Strait reopening, Healey said: ‘We recognise the huge importance of oil prices on the cost of living. There is an international imperative and incentive to see this situation resolved.
‘The situation in the Strait of Hormuz is most likely to be quickly resolved by the de-escalation of the conflict.’
The Kremlin was struggling to find revenues to support its illegal occupation of Ukraine before the spike in oil prices caused by the conflict and the US waiver on sanctions applying to countries purchasing Russian natural resources.
Healey said the UK would continue to prioritise supporting Ukraine and the Russian threat to the High North region.
HMS Dragon, which set off for the Middle East, had previously been earmarked for operations in that area.
