LONDON, Mar 12 : The UK on Thursday strongly condemned Iran for conducting “reckless” strikes on its neighbours in the Gulf, as Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper landed in Saudi Arabia in a show of solidarity with regional allies in West Asia.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) described Saudi Arabia as one of the UK’s oldest partners in the region, with established British businesses and tourism.
It condemned the Saudis being subject to attacks from Iranian missiles and drones, with oil facilities and the US Embassy in Riyadh among the targets since the US-Israeli strikes in the region began earlier this month.
“The situation in the Middle East remains highly volatile, and our priority is the safety and security of British people, alongside supporting our partners across the region who face continuing strikes,” said Cooper.
“This is why it is so important for me to be here in Saudi Arabia – an essential partner for the UK in the Gulf, who have been targeted by reckless attacks by the Iranian regime, and who have supported British nationals to come home and is working to maintain energy security and supply.
“Everyone wants to see a swift resolution that brings security and stability back to the region and stops this Iranian threat to its neighbours,” she said.
The FCDO said the ministerial visit comes as the British government continues an “intensive, round the clock effort” to support its nationals in the region and safeguard UK interests, including with military support across a volatile and fast-moving situation.
“Since the beginning of the conflict, more than 63,000 British people have returned home from the region. The UK government is working tirelessly to ensure people who wish to depart can return home as safely and swiftly as possible,” the FCDO said.
It noted that five charter flights and boosted capacity on commercial flights have helped British nationals stranded in the region return home, with air routes experiencing only “limited disruption” in the region.
During her trip, the British Foreign Secretary is expected to discuss cooperation with regional partners to ensure continuity of oil supply in the face of strikes in the Strait of Hormuz. This follows the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) announcement of a release of 400 million barrels from the strategic reserve.
Cooper is also set to highlight the strength of the UK-Saudi defence relationship and Saudi Arabia’s air defence capability, as the country’s armed forces “continue to intercept threats, protecting civilians, including over 25,000 British nationals living in the country”.
“During her visit, she will see a demonstration of the UK air defence battery, deployed since 2022 and at high readiness, prepared to defend critical national infrastructure. The UK’s defensive military action is supporting the wider region, with four extra Typhoons, three Wildcat helicopters, a Merlin helicopter and HMS Dragon being deployed,” the FCDO said.
“Additional RAF (Royal Air Force) operations experts have also been deployed to more than five countries in the region, helping coordinate regional military and civilian airspace,” it noted.
The Foreign Office said the government’s focus is on protecting the UK from the impacts of the conflict on people’s lives and bills, and will continue to “prioritise energy security, protect bill payers, and make sure people pay the lowest possible price at the pump”. (PTI)
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