In the middle of the growing crisis in the Middle East, Foreign Secretary David Lammy found himself dodging questions about whether the UK supports America’s decision to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities.
While giving a statement in Parliament, Lammy pushed for diplomacy but avoided giving a clear stance on the legality—or even approval—of the US strike.
No Legal Advice, No Clear Position
Despite the serious nature of the situation, Lammy admitted that the UK government hadn’t even sought legal advice from Attorney General Lord Hermer about the attack.
This raised eyebrows, especially since reports claim Lord Hermer had warned that the UK could only join in defensive—not offensive—military operations.
When pressed, Lammy confirmed the US hadn’t asked to use the British-controlled Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean to launch the strikes.
Lammy Pushes for Calm, Avoids Commitment
Speaking in the Commons, Lammy said the missile strikes by the US pose a real risk to UK forces in the region.
But rather than back Washington’s actions outright, he said Britain is focused on defending its personnel and finding a diplomatic solution.
“We’re not training almost,” he said about the UK’s presence in the region, “We are just doing very, very, very short sessions…
It’s not easy in these conditions with these temperatures.
We are going to try to do our best.”
Starmer and Trump: Awkward Allies?
Prime Minister Keir Starmer had a phone call with President Trump after the strikes, but the official statement from Downing Street didn’t mention Starmer’s usual call for “de-escalation.”
Instead, it seemed both leaders agreed that Iran must not be allowed to build nuclear weapons and should return to the negotiating table.
But Trump stirred the pot online soon after, saying it might be time to “Make Iran Great Again”—a not-so-subtle nod toward regime change.
Extra Troops, Extra Heat
Behind the scenes, the UK is preparing for the worst.
Typhoon jets have been deployed to the region, and Defense Secretary John Healey confirmed that UK troops are now on the highest alert.
The government is also closely watching Iran’s threats to block the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route that could spike oil prices globally.
UK Ministers Split, Criticism Builds
The UK government’s vague position hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch accused ministers of lacking “moral clarity” and slammed Lammy for not confirming whether the strikes were lawful.
She also took aim at Lord Hermer, calling his influence over the government’s legal approach “legal fetishism.”
On the flip side, Labour’s shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge was far more direct, saying he supports the US military action and challenging the Prime Minister to stop sitting on the fence.
The Bigger Picture: Iran’s Nuclear Threat
The US bombed three major Iranian nuclear sites: Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—facilities long suspected of being central to Tehran’s ambitions.
While Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes, its enrichment levels go far beyond what’s needed for civilian energy.
Trump’s goal? Set Iran’s nuclear program back by years.
What’s Next?
As Iran threatens retaliation and regional powers brace for fallout, the UK is still trying to balance diplomacy, military preparedness, and political messaging.
The question remains: will Britain continue to hedge its bets, or will it finally take a side?