On 14 June 2025, the UK began deploying military aircraft to the Middle East in response to the escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict caused by Israel's Operation Rising Lion. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking to reporters, confirmed that the Royal Air Force (RAF) was sending additional Eurofighter Typhoon fighters and refuelling tankers to the region to provide "emergency support" for regional security. The decision followed Tehran's warning of possible strikes on British military bases if it supported Israel, according to British media outlets including inews.co.uk and The Jerusalem Post.

Starmer said the UK was not yet involved in the fighting, but did not rule out the possibility of providing military assistance to Israel, as it did in October 2024, when British forces helped intercept Iranian missiles. "I won't go into operational details because the situation is evolving. We are moving assets, including aircraft, to support the region," the prime minister said. Sources in the UK Ministry of Defence said additional aircraft were flying from bases in the UK, as well as from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, where forces are already stationed for operations against ISIS (a terrorist group banned in Russia) in Iraq and Syria.

Israel's operation, which began on June 13, included strikes on nuclear facilities in Natanz and Isfahan, as well as Iranian military bases. According to the IDF, 70 fighter jets attacked 40 targets in Tehran overnight on Saturday, destroying up to 40 air defense installations. Iran responded by launching about 200 missiles and drones at Israel, causing casualties in Tel Aviv. Tehran has also threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which up to 30% of the world's oil passes, causing Brent prices to rise to $78,5 a barrel.

Iran has formally warned Britain, the United States and France that their military installations in the region will be targeted if they support Israel, the Mehr news agency reported. The X posts also point to Russia's accusations against London: Russia's UN envoy Vasily Nebenzya said Israeli planes had allegedly taken refuge at a British base in Cyprus after striking Iran. The UK Ministry of Defence has denied the allegations, calling them "baseless".