Sir Keir Starmer will update Parliament this afternoon on the Middle East crisis, as he faces growing pressure from opposition leaders over his response to the conflict.
Donald Trump said he was “very disappointed” Starmer initially blocked the US from using British military bases to target Iran over the weekend.
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, the US president said Starmer “took far too long” to change his mind to allow them to use bases such as the Chagos Islands.
He said: “That’s probably never happened between our countries before.
“It sounds like he was worried about the legality.”
Other MPs have called on Starmer to fully support Trump’s action against Iran, after an attack on a Royal Air Force airfield in Cyprus where an “unmanned drone” hit the runway at RAF Akrotiri.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: “It took Iranian missiles hitting allies in the Middle East and a UK base in Cyprus before Starmer finally approved the use of our bases, and this morning the Foreign Secretary still can’t say if the Labour government supports the action against Iran.”
Around 300,000 Britons are believed to be in countries targeted by Iran, with 102,000 registered with the Foreign Office for updates as officials examine all options, including a potential mass evacuation.
Key Points
Trump says US was 'very disappointed' in Starmer
UK is not at war with Iran after RAF base hit by drone, minister says
Kemi Badenoch increases pressure on Starmer to fully enter Trump’s war on Iran
Starmer allows US to use British bases to target Iran
Scots teacher describes ‘loud bangs’ over beach in Dubai amid missile alert
Over 100,000 Brits register presence in the Middle East
Show latest update
13 minutes ago
Opinion: We should be grateful that ‘statesman Starmer’ is still in charge
Our columnist Victoria Richards writes...
What a difference not even a week has made for the prime minister.
It’s hard to believe that, little more than 72 hours ago, Keir Starmer’s leadership was as good as in the ground, turned to dust by the Gorton and Denton by-election in which Labour lost its seventh safest seat to the Green Party.
Today, all that is little more than the throwaway “And finally…” bit on the evening news, the world’s eyes being fixed anxiously on Iran.
Read the full article here:
We should be grateful that ‘statesman Starmer’ is still in charge
If the prime minister had resigned after last week’s Gorton and Denton by-election defeat – as his critics demanded – it would be David Lammy leading the country’s response to America’s military operation against Iran, says Victoria Richards
Holly Evans2 March 2026 15:15
24 minutes ago
Starmer to address Parliament at 3.30pm
Sir Keir Starmer will update Parliament on the Middle East crisis at 3.30pm.
The Prime Minister said: “I know the situation in the Middle East is worrying for British people in the region, and at home.
“It’s my duty as Prime Minister to keep British people safe.
“I will be answering questions on the steps we took over the weekend in Parliament.”
Holly Evans2 March 2026 15:05
33 minutes ago
Etihad Airways flight takes off from Abu Dhabi for Heathrow
An Etihad Airways flight has taken off from Abu Dhabi for London’s Heathrow airport.
Flight EY67 is expected to land at 7.14pm at Terminal 4 of the west London airport.
It was one of 15 Etihad Airways flights to depart from Abu Dhabi in a three-hour window, flight tracking company Flightradar24 said.
The flights are “likely helping to clear transit passengers who have been stuck there since the start of the conflict”, Flightradar24 added.
Holly Evans2 March 2026 14:56
43 minutes ago
Emirates airline to resume 'limited number of flights'
Emirates said it will resume operating “a limited number of flights” on Monday night.
The Dubai-based airline suspended its operations because of the war in the Middle East.
It said in a statement: “Emirates will begin operating a limited number of flights commencing on the evening of 2 March.
“We are accommodating customers with earlier bookings as a priority, and those who have been rebooked to travel on these limited flights will be contacted directly by Emirates.
“Please do not go to the airport unless you have been notified. All other flights remain suspended until further notice.”
Holly Evans2 March 2026 14:45
49 minutes ago
Badenoch appears to back deploying UK troops if Iran develops nuclear weapons
Kemi Badenoch has warned Iran would launch a catastrophic attack on the UK if it developed a nuclear weapon, as she appeared to back British troops being deployed in the Middle East conflict.
She said: “I do not want to see a situation where we are sending British troops, people’s sons and daughters, to war when we are not clear what is going on.
“With Iran it is very, very clear what is going on and we can’t just bury our heads in the sand like ostriches and hope that if we just do nothing, the problem will go away.
“I do not want to see an Iran that has nukes because if they do have nukes, we will be nuked.
“That is very clear. That is what we need to explain to many people who may not understand the specifics of the situation of the details.
“We need to be honest about that. Sir Keir Starmer does not know what he believes. I know what I believe and I am able to say so.”
Holly Evans2 March 2026 14:40
1 hour ago
Downing Street brush off Trump’s criticism of Starmer
Our political correspondent Athena Stavrou writes...
No 10 has brushed off Donald Trump’s criticism of Sir Keir Starmer for initially blocking the US from using British military bases to target Iran.
In an interview with The Telegraph, the US president said he was “very disappointed” and said Starmer “took far too long” to change his mind to allow them to use bases such as the Chagos Islands.
He said: “That’s probably never happened between our countries before. It sounds like he was worried about the legality.”
But the prime minister’s official spokesperson insisted: “The UK and US are staunch allies, and have been for many decades."
Downing Street have brushed off Trump’s criticism of Starmer (PA)
Downing Street have brushed off Trump’s criticism of Starmer (PA) (PA Wire)
Holly Evans2 March 2026 14:27
1 hour ago
‘I worry about allowing people like Zarah Sultana to vote on issues of national security’, says Badenoch
Our political correspondent Millie Cooke writes...
Kemi Badenoch has said she thinks it was right not to give MPs a vote on allowing the use of UK bases for strikes on Iran, saying she worries about “allowing people like Zarah Sultana to be voting on serious issues of natural security.”
Asked whether she thinks MPs should be given a vote on events in Iran, the Tory leader said: “I think it depends. I don’t think we needed a vote on this. And quite frankly, given that this is the most left wing Parliament with a lot of extremely silly people sitting there I do actually worry about allowing people like Zarah Sultana to be voting on serious issues of natural security.
“There is a place for MPs to vote, there is a place for that, but sometimes when things are moving quickly we can’t spend time with lots of people giving speeches which are written by chat GPT about stuff they don’t know about.“
Holly Evans2 March 2026 14:17
1 hour ago
Badenoch says international law excuse is 'a fig leaf'
Kemi Badenoch has accused Sir Keir Starmer of a “party political calculation” with his initial refusal to allow the UK-US Diego Garcia base to be used to target Iran.
Delivering a speech at the Policy Exchange think tank, the leader of the Opposition said British people “will be wondering why our country’s response has been so weak”.
She added: “The official explanation for the hesitancy is international law, but this is a fig leaf.
“The real explanation is not legal, it is political.
“Across the UK there are groups whose political loyalties when it comes to conflicts in the Middle East do not align with British national interests.
“These are people who Labour sees as their voters because without them, they cannot stay in power.
“This is not international law or principle, it is pure partisan political calculation from a Labour Party that has surrendered its right to govern our country, and it is the reality of decades of failed integration policy.”
Kemi Badenoch has criticised Starmer’s approach during a speech at the Policy Exchange think tank
Kemi Badenoch has criticised Starmer’s approach during a speech at the Policy Exchange think tank (Getty Images)
Holly Evans2 March 2026 14:09
1 hour ago
UK government ‘looking at all options’ to evacuate British citizens
The Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
The UK government is “looking at all options” as it works on plans for the potential evacuation of more than 100,000 Britons from the Middle East.
It is understood that there is around 200,000 British nationals in the region, with 100,000 having registered their presence with the government.
British nationals are being advised to follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor the Foreign Office's travel advice, which officials expect to change rapidly.It is understood any repatriation of UK nationals would likely be organized by the Foreign Office, with one potential route involving people traveling by land to Saudi Arabia from where they could board flights.
Shaheena Uddin2 March 2026 14:00
1 hour ago
Badenoch: Integration should not be a two way street
The Independent's Millie Cooke reports:
Kemi Badenoch has suggested integration should not be a two way street, instead saying people who came to Britain should assimilate.
She told a press conference in London: “Tolerance is an important part of any decent society, but tolerating minority communities doesn’t mean that we want people living in tribes.
“What we want is assimilation. One society, with shared norms under the same laws.”
She added: “Instead of asking newcomers to join our way of life, too many people in authority decided merger was a two way street.
“This is what creates the space for separatism with endless arguments about Halal meat and whether or not we should ban burqas.
“The fact is, if authorities cannot enforce the law on family voting in Gorton, I can assure you they are not going to be ripping burqas off women’s faces or putting them in prison.”Sir Keir Starmer will update Parliament this afternoon on the Middle East crisis, as he faces growing pressure from opposition leaders over his response to the conflict.
Donald Trump said he was “very disappointed” Starmer initially blocked the US from using British military bases to target Iran over the weekend.
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, the US president said Starmer “took far too long” to change his mind to allow them to use bases such as the Chagos Islands.
He said: “That’s probably never happened between our countries before.
“It sounds like he was worried about the legality.”
Other MPs have called on Starmer to fully support Trump’s action against Iran, after an attack on a Royal Air Force airfield in Cyprus where an “unmanned drone” hit the runway at RAF Akrotiri.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: “It took Iranian missiles hitting allies in the Middle East and a UK base in Cyprus before Starmer finally approved the use of our bases, and this morning the Foreign Secretary still can’t say if the Labour government supports the action against Iran.”
Around 300,000 Britons are believed to be in countries targeted by Iran, with 102,000 registered with the Foreign Office for updates as officials examine all options, including a potential mass evacuation.
Key Points
Trump says US was 'very disappointed' in Starmer
UK is not at war with Iran after RAF base hit by drone, minister says
Kemi Badenoch increases pressure on Starmer to fully enter Trump’s war on Iran
Starmer allows US to use British bases to target Iran
Scots teacher describes ‘loud bangs’ over beach in Dubai amid missile alert
Over 100,000 Brits register presence in the Middle East
1 hour ago
Badenoch: Integration should not be a two way street
The Independent’s Millie Cooke reports:
Kemi Badenoch has suggested integration should not be a two way street, instead saying people who come to Britain should assimilate.
She told a press conference in London: “Tolerance is an important part of any decent society, but tolerating minority communities doesn’t mean that we want people living in tribes.
“What we want is assimilation. One society, with shared norms under the same laws.”
She added: “Instead of asking newcomers to join our way of life, too many people in authority decided integration was a two way street.
“This is what creates the space for separatism with endless arguments about Halal meat and whether or not we should ban burqas.
“The fact is, if authorities cannot enforce the law on family voting in Gorton, I can assure you they are not going to be ripping burqas off women’s faces or putting them in prison.”
Shaheena Uddin2 March 2026 13:56
1 hour ago
UK's commitment to international law remains ‘iron clad’ as more details of limitation deal emerge
The Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
Downing Street has insisted that the UK’s commitment to international law “remains iron clad” and said the US request to use UK bases to strike Iran was granted in line with international law.
Sir Keir Starmer confirmed he had given American forces permission to use British military bases for “specific and limited defensive purpose” as it continues it’s attacks on Iran.It is understood that the UK has given US permission for the limited purpose of targeting Iranian ballistic missile depots and launchers.
The prime minister’s spokesperson said the UK’s commitment to international law “remains iron clad” and said the request was granted “in line with international law”.
Shaheena Uddin2 March 2026 13:53
1 hour ago
Pete Hegseth accuses allies of 'hemming and hawing' about using force
United States’ Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, has accused allies of “clutching their pearls” and “hemming and hawing” about using force.
Mr Hegseth said: “Capable partners [like Israel] are good partners unlike so many of our traditional allies who ring the hands and clutch their pearls, hemming and hawing about the use of force”.
United States Secretary of War , Pete Hegseth, has accused allies of ‘hemming and hawing' about using force
United States Secretary of War , Pete Hegseth, has accused allies of ‘hemming and hawing' about using force (Reuters)
Shaheena Uddin2 March 2026 13:50
1 hour ago
Leader of Scottish labour condemns his father for praising Iran's 'brutal' Ayatollah
The leader of Scottish Labour has condemned his father for praising Iran’s “brutal” Ayatollah after he was killed in US-Israeli air strikes.
Anas Sarwar said he was “embarassed” by his father Chaudhry Sarwar’s posts. He said it was “wrong” to post a tribute to Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, who has killed thousands of civilians in the country.
His father, a former Glasgow Labour MP and later the governor of Punjab, described the Islamist dictator as a “martyr”.
He said the Muslim world had been deprived of a “strong voice of resistance” following his death on Saturday.
According to X’s translation of his tweet, which was in Urdu, Sarwar senior said: “Our hearts are saddened by the martyrdom of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
“The Muslim Ummah has lost a strong voice of resistance.
“May Allah grant him Paradise. We share the grief of the Iranian nation equally.”
Speaking to the Press Association at Glasgow Airport, Mr Sarwar said he did not agree with his father’s comments “He’s wrong,” the Scottish Labour leader said.
“My view is that the leader of Iran has been a brutal dictator that has obviously done many bad things to his own citizens, has threatened many of his neighbours, has funded countless attacks, has been behind several threats to our own country here, and I think there will be lots of people who have very strong views about what he was like as an individual, or what that regime was like.
“In terms of the broader situation, look, this is a really dangerous time.
“It’s a dangerous time, of course for Iran itself, but it’s a dangerous time for the entire region, and what needs to happen really quickly is a de-escalation and an end to the war.”
He called for “no nuclear capability for Iran” and prioritising “freedom and peace and security for all nations across the broader Middle East”.
Shaheena Uddin2 March 2026 13:47
1 hour ago
Badenoch takes aim at Labour ‘hesitancy’ over Iran
The Independent’s Millie Cooke reports:
Kemi Badenoch has taken aim at Labour’s “hesitancy” over Iran, dubbing the UK’s approach to the Middle East “weak”.
She also claimed the government initially refused to allow the US to use UK airbases to launch strikes for political reasons, claiming “there are groups whose political loyalties when it comes to conflicts in the Middle East do not align with British national interest”.
Giving a press conference in London, the Tory leader said: “People in Britain will be wondering why our country’s response has been so weak.
“The official explanation for the hesitancy is international law, but this is a figleaf. The real explanation is not legal, it is political.
“Across the UK, there are groups whose political loyalties when it comes to conflicts in the Middle East do not align with British national interest.
“These are people who Labour see as their voters, because without them they cannot stay in power.”
Badenoch takes aim at Labour ‘hesitancy’ over Iran
Badenoch takes aim at Labour ‘hesitancy’ over Iran (House of Commons)
Shaheena Uddin2 March 2026 13:41
1 hour ago
Iran could sustain attacks for at least a week
The Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
Iran could sustain military action in the Middle East for at least a week, it is understood.
Donald Trump has previously said the war with Iran may last as long as four or five weeks, despite initially suggesting the active phase would last “two or three days”.
However, it is understood that it is believed that Iran could sustain their military response for at least week, having learnt lessons from the 12-day war in June last year.
Shaheena Uddin2 March 2026 13:40
1 hour ago
Starmer to answer questions on 'worrying' situation in Middle East this afternoon
In a post shared on X, Sir Keir Starmer said “I know the situation in the Middle East is worrying for British people in the region, and at home.”
He explained he will be answering questions on the steps the UK government has taken over the weekend in parliament today at 3.30pm.
Shaheena Uddin2 March 2026 13:31
2 hours ago
Labour suspends Leeds mosque chairman for alleged 'abhorrent views'
Labour has suspended Leeds mosque’s chairman from the party over allegations about ‘his abhorrent views’.
Arshad Khatana has been administratively suspended from Labour following an ongoing investigation.
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “These abhorrent views are clearly not shared by the Chancellor.
“She was not aware of these allegations.”
Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick said Mr Khatana had “abhorrent and shocking views” and accused him of sharing conspiracy theories about 9/11 and made antisemitic comments.
Mr Jenrick posted on X criticising Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ connections to Mr Khatana. The Newark MP said Ms Reeves had referred to Mr Khatana as a “friend” and had visited his house for lunch during her time as Chancellor. He called on the chancellor to “explain herself”.
Mr Farage admitted he had met Mr Khatana after he was pictured together in 2013 in a photograph which has since emerged from his X account when he was the leader of UKIP.
He said: “I met him once… you know you can meet someone once, but that’s a day on which you probably met and photographed with 100 people.
“This is gotcha stuff with just one photograph.”
Mr Jenrick said: “There is a world of difference from a visit and somebody or other posing with them for a photograph and the Chancellor of the Exchequer building a deep and lasting friendship with this disgusting extremist man.
“Posting photos, going around his house for lunch… That’s completely ridiculous. And Rachel Reeves needs to explain herself for what she’s done.”
Shaheena Uddin2 March 2026 13:28
2 hours ago
Farage branded 'hypocrite' after meeting Labor activists accused of extremism by Reform
Nigel Farage was photographed meeting a Labor Party activist who Reform are now accusing of extremism and linking to chancellor Rachel Reeves.
A picture has emerged of Mr Farage meeting Arshad Khatana at the Ghousia Mosque in Leeds in 2013 when he was leader of UKIP. The pair were both taking part in an interfaith event.
It comes as Labor suspended the activist after Reform made allegations linking him to chancellor Rachel Reeves and highlighting extremist views he is claimed to have expressed.
The Independent's political editor, David Maddox, reports:
Farage met Labor activists accused of extremism by Reform
Labor have suspended Arshad Khatana after Reform's Robert Jenrick linked him to chancellor Rachel Reeves were published on
Shaheena Uddin2 March 2026 13:17
2 hours ago
Starmer expected to address the Commons on the Middle East crisis this afternoon
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to address the Commons on the Middle East crisis this afternoon at 3.30pm.
The Prime Minister said: “I know the situation in the Middle East is worrying for British people in the region, and at home.
“It's my duty as Prime Minister to keep British people safe.” “I will be answering questions on the steps we took over the weekend in Parliament.”
Mr Starmer announced on Sunday his decision to allow US forces to operate from British bases to target Iran. Downing Street has now said the only way to stop the threat of Iran's missiles is to destroy them “at source”.
Donald Trump said he was “very disappointed” in Sir Keir Starmer for initially refusing to allow the use of the UK-US Diego Garcia base to target Iran.
Mr Starmer's announcement came just hours before a drone hit the RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus. The decision followed a day of conversations with regional leaders, during which it is understood they asked the UK to do more to protect them from Iranian missiles.Sir Keir Starmer is addressing Parliament this afternoon on the Middle East crisis, as he faces growing pressure from opposition leaders over his response to the conflict.
Donald Trump said he was “very disappointed” Starmer initially blocked the US from using British military bases to target Iran over the weekend.
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, the US president said Starmer “took far too long” to change his mind to allow them to use bases such as the Chagos Islands.
He said: “That’s probably never happened between our countries before.
“It sounds like he was worried about the legality.”
Other MPs have called on Starmer to fully support Trump’s action against Iran, after an attack on a Royal Air Force airfield in Cyprus where an “unmanned drone” hit the runway at RAF Akrotiri.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: “It took Iranian missiles hitting allies in the Middle East and a UK base in Cyprus before Starmer finally approved the use of our bases, and this morning the Foreign Secretary still can’t say if the Labour government supports the action against Iran.”
Around 300,000 Britons are believed to be in countries targeted by Iran, with 102,000 registered with the Foreign Office for updates as officials examine all options, including a potential mass evacuation.
Key Points
Trump says US was 'very disappointed' in Starmer
UK is not at war with Iran after RAF base hit by drone, minister says
Kemi Badenoch increases pressure on Starmer to fully enter Trump’s war on Iran
Starmer allows US to use British bases to target Iran
Scots teacher describes ‘loud bangs’ over beach in Dubai amid missile alert
Over 100,000 Brits register presence in the Middle East
Show latest update
2 hours ago
Priti Patel says Labour response to Iran has been 'shameful'
Dame Priti Patel MP, Shadow Foreign Secretary, said: “It is no surprise that our closest and most important ally is so disappointed. The Labour Government’s response to the crisis in Iran has been shameful.
“We should have been supporting our allies, not making it harder for them. Even now Starmer is still trying to sit on the fence, which is a complete failure of leadership.
“This is another reminder that Starmer’s Chagos Surrender is not in our national interest. When I was in Washington last week, everyone I spoke to was critical of the deal.
“It is undermining the Special Relationship and should be scrapped.”
Holly Evans2 March 2026 12:58
AD
2 hours ago
Your rights as Middle East cruises disrupted by US-Iran war
Thousands of passengers on cruise ships including Celestyal Discovery, Mein Schiff 4 and MSC Euribia are being kept on board amid the conflict between Israel, the US and Iran.
Celestyal, MSC Cruises and Mein Schiff, a Tui-affiliated operator, have all cancelled cruises that were due to sail around the Arabian Gulf this week.
In some cases, such as on ships already docked in Dubai, passengers are not being allowed to disembark.
Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery were due to depart on sailings around the United Arab Emirates today (2 March) from Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively but these routes have been cancelled.
Read the full article here:
Your rights as Middle East cruises disrupted by US-Iran war
Cruise lines have cancelled sailings amid escalating conflict
Holly Evans2 March 2026 12:47
3 hours ago
British Airways owner IAG sees stock price plummet as FTSE 100 falls in wake of Iran strikes
The FTSE 100 has suffered a drop of more than 1 per cent on Monday, as stock markets around the world react to strikes on Iran by the US and the ensuing crisis across the Middle East.
While the prices of oil and gold have both gone up, stock markets are heading in the opposite direction as investors weigh the uncertainty and risk around businesses of different types.
In London’s main index, British Airlines owner IAG was one of the biggest fallers in morning trading, falling up to 7 per cent before clawing back some ground, though was still down 5 per cent approaching noon GMT.
Read the full article here:
British Airways owner sees stock price plummet as FTSE 100 falls
The prices of oil and gold have gone up but stock markets are heading in the opposite directions as investors weigh the uncertainty caused by the Middle East crisis
Holly Evans2 March 2026 12:28
3 hours ago
Farage says boots on the ground in Iran would be 'huge mistake'
Nigel Farage said he is opposed to putting British “boots on the ground” in support of regime change in Iran.
Asked whether he would back such a move, the Reform UK leader said: “I don’t want to do that. I think that would be a huge mistake.”
Mr Farage made reference to Iranians who had been massacred in their tens of thousands during recent protests and said regime change would represent a “great liberation”.
He added: “We couldn’t put boots on the ground, we have barely got an army left.
“Even if we wanted to do it, we don’t have the operational capacity to attempt anything on that scale that would be meaningful at all.
“I don’t want us to get dragged into it, but there is a heck of a lot what we can do to help and support our allies on this.
“If not boots on the ground, it is Royal Air Force, it is Royal Navy and it is intelligence.”
Holly Evans2 March 2026 12:25
3 hours ago
Analysis: If it was not dead before Trump has killed off his relationship with Starmer
Our political editor David Maddox says:
It feels like a long time ago now since Keir Starmer was being hailed on the international stage for being a sort of miraculous “Trump whisperer” who all the other world leaders wanted to copy.
But the interview which the US president has just given to the Daily Telegraph attacking Sir Keir’s refusal to allow attacks on Iran to be launched from RAF bases and the UK not being involved in the raids on Iran surely marks the end of the relationship.
Already issues like handing over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, Starmer’s refusal to support Trump’s claims on Greenland and the US trade tariffs had poisoned what had been a very positive relationship.
But it is clear that massaging the ego of the quixotic Donald Trump only goes so far.
Sir Keir has acted reasonably throughout but that has gone down badly in the White House.The problem for the PM though is that without his ability to deal with this president he loses the one thing that had made his premiership a success.
Unfortunately for him though, unless he wants to become the puppet to the whims of Trump like Farage is then there seems to be no way back.
Donald Trump has said he is ‘very disappointed’ with Sir Keir Starmer (Leon Neal/PA)
Donald Trump has said he is ‘very disappointed’ with Sir Keir Starmer (Leon Neal/PA) (PA Wire)
Holly Evans2 March 2026 12:08
3 hours ago
Farage calls Starmer's response to Iran conflict 'pathetic'
Nigel Farage has described Sir Keir Starmer’s response to the conflict in the Middle East as “pathetic” as he backed the actions of the US and Israel.
The Reform UK leader said: “I do believe the American president and the Israelis are right in what they are doing.
“I find the actions of our Prime Minister – or the inactions, perhaps I should say, of our Prime Minister – frankly pathetic.”
Highlighting a decision to deny the US use of UK bases for launching missions, Mr Farage said this is “something that the president has responded to already by saying that he is deeply disappointed”.
Mr Farage added: “I do believe that Starmer’s actions don’t just threaten the special relationship, but probably he has posed, or did pose, a major threat to Nato.”
Holly Evans2 March 2026 11:58
3 hours ago
British national stranded in Zimbabwe as flights to Dubai grounded
The grounding of flights at Dubai International airport due to airstrikes in the Middle East has left tourists and travellers stranded.
That disruption is not limited to those in Gulf states, as Dubai as an interchange for many airline routes worldwide.
British national Margaret Khumalo, 54, has been visiting family in Zimbabwe but her return flight from Harare to London via Dubai on Saturday was cancelled.
She remains stuck in Africa, with no Emirates flights operating on her route. Ms Khumalo, who is a nurse, said she is in “limbo” and is losing contracted work she was set to begin today.
Margaret Khumalo who is stuck in Zimbabwe due to flights at Dubai being grounded
Margaret Khumalo who is stuck in Zimbabwe due to flights at Dubai being grounded (Margaret Khumalo)
She told The Independent: “Dubai is a big hub for all these flights from Africa to Europe. It's a big gateway for literally everyone and there are a lot of us that are stuck here.
“The British government is trying to see how they can get people back home, and I'm thinking no one's mentioned us [in Africa].”
Ms Khumalo feels “lucky” as she is able to stay with her family for the time being but currently has no idea when she will be able return to her home in Broxley.
“I don't know who to contact for anything in terms of if there's gonna be any repatriation, how far is it just from Dubai”, Ms Khumalo added. “Because there are other people that were meant to go to Dubai that are still stuck in a lot of places.”
Dan Haygarth2 March 2026 11:50
3 hours ago
Global aviation in ‘a mess’ as hundreds of thousands of passengers disrupted
Airspace closures in the Middle East are disrupting hundreds of thousands of airline passengers globally, with a leading aviation consultant describing the situation as “a mess”.
Several Middle Eastern airports act as hubs for passengers travelling between Europe and the continents of Asia and Australia.
Analytics company Cirium said 1,579 out of 3,990 flights scheduled to operate to the Middle East on Sunday were cancelled.
This included 747 to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and 285 to Qatar.
About half a million passengers use airports in Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi each day.
UK-based aviation consultant John Strickland said the disruption was “pretty unprecedented”.
He said: “The Gulf carriers are now so fundamental to much of global aviation, not least east-west flows between Europe and Asia.
“I can’t recall a situation – other than the pandemic – where we’ve had these Gulf hubs out of action in this way before.
“We’ve had other conflicts in the region, but not, I think, really in the scale of military conflict or scale of activity that we have now with the Gulf carriers.”
Holly Evans2 March 2026 11:43
3 hours ago
Oil surges and stock markets fall after strikes in Iran - what does it mean for your money and pension?
It is becoming increasingly common for geopolitical incidents to have a direct impact on people’s finances and this looks certain to happen again after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, sparking conflict across the Middle East.
The latest escalation comes after a year in which US president Donald Trump instigated tariffs on nations around the world during the prolonged tension between Iran and Israel. Along with the invasion by Russia on Ukraine – which affected commodity prices – these large-scale cases of conflict are having a real impact on people’s pockets across the globe.
In the face of the most recent developments, with Iran launching strikes on US and UK ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the price of oil has risen nearly 10 per cent to its highest level in around a year.
Read the full analysis from our business correspondent Karl Matchett here:
Oil surges after Iran strikes –what does it mean for petrol prices and your money?
The latest conflict, which is spreading across the Middle East, will have a significant knock-on effect in terms of inflation, interest rates and commodity prices
Holly Evans2 March 2026 11:40
4 hours ago
How important is RAF Akrotiri?
RAF Akrotiri is the largest RAF base outside the UK, with more than 3,500 personnel, supporting UK operations in the Middle East.
Typhoon jets based at Akrotiri shot down Iranian drones fired at Israel in April 2024.
It has been used as a base to enable jets to carry out strikes and patrols in Syria and Iraq as part of Operation Shader.
The base has also supported evacuation flights, including helping people leave Sudan during fighting in 2023.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment