British jets deployed to Middle East ‘precautionary move’, says UK chancellor

British Chancellor Rachel Reeves said on Sunday that the UK’s decision to deploy military jets to the Middle East was intended solely to protect British bases and personnel, describing it as a “precautionary move”.

“We’re sending in assets to both protect ourselves and also potentially to support our allies,” she told Sky News.

Reeves also called for a de-escalation of the conflict.

When asked whether Britain would support Israel, she said: “We have, in the past, supported Israel when there have been missiles coming in.”

On Saturday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that additional RAF aircraft were being deployed amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran.