LONDON 

The UK government on Saturday said it "does not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict," after the US and Israel launched an attack on Iran.

According to British media reports, the UK did not participate in the US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

Israel launched an attack against Iran early Saturday under the name “Lion’s Roar,” declaring a “special and immediate” state of emergency across the country.

US President Donald Trump later said the US also began “major combat operations” in Iran.

The UK has reiterated its opposition to Iran developing a nuclear weapon, as tensions continue to simmer across the Middle East.

In a statement, a government spokesperson said the UK remained committed to diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing further escalation in the region, while also stressing its readiness to defend its interests and allies.

“Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution," he said.

"As part of our longstanding commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East, we have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which we have recently bolstered. We stand ready to protect our interests," he added.

- UK’s response

Prime Minister Keir Starmer chaired a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee as Britain weighs its response to US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory attacks on bases in the Gulf.

Although the UK did not take part in the initial strikes early on Saturday, it had already sent RAF Typhoon jets to Qatar to help safeguard the al-Udeid airbase and other allied military sites in the region, according to a report by The Guardian.

The report also said that six more F-35 jets, along with enhanced air defense, radar and counter-drone capabilities, were deployed to RAF Akrotiri in the Greek Cypriot Administration.

From there, they could be used to help defend Israel, Jordan or other regional partners if required.

British bases were reportedly not used by US forces during the strikes, after Starmer declined an earlier request from Trump to access RAF facilities at Diego Garcia and Fairford.

British citizens in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates were urged to shelter immediately following reports of Iranian missile attacks.

The Foreign Office also advised against all travel to Israel and the Palestinian territories.