In an explosive interview on BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg on March 1, 2026, Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel delivered a blistering critique of the Starmer administration’s response to the unprecedented joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign in Iran.
The strikes, codenamed Operation Epic Fury by the U.S. and Roaring Lion by Israel, have fundamentally altered the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, leading to the confirmed death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. While the UK government has maintained a stance of “defensive support,” Patel’s remarks highlight a widening chasm in British foreign policy.
Patel’s “Astonishing” Critique of Keir Starmer
During the broadcast, Priti Patel described Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s refusal to provide direct offensive support as “astonishing.” She argued that the UK’s decision to distance itself from the strikes—specifically the Prime Minister’s reported refusal to allow U.S. forces to use RAF bases in Diego Garcia and Fairford—was a failure of leadership.
“It is astonishing that at this critical juncture, the Prime Minister has failed to ‘step up’ and offer more robust support to our closest allies, the United States and Israel,” Patel told Kuenssberg.
Patel’s analysis centered on three primary pillars:
- The Special Relationship: She asserted that the UK must stand “shoulder to shoulder” with Washington, especially after President Trump greenlit the strikes following the collapse of nuclear negotiations in Geneva.
- Proscribing the IRGC: Patel renewed her long-standing demand for the formal proscription of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, citing their “evil legacy” and role in regional destabilization.
- Regime Change: Unlike the government, which emphasized a “negotiated solution,” Patel leaned into the strategic outcome of the strikes, suggesting that the removal of the Iranian leadership presented a “historic opportunity” for regional freedom.
The Conflict: A Region in Turmoil
The strikes, which began on February 28, 2026, targeted more than 500 sites across Iran, including government ministries, nuclear facilities, and the Supreme Leader’s compound in Tehran.
| Feature | Details of the 2026 Strikes |
|---|---|
| U.S. Operation | Epic Fury |
| Israeli Operation | Roaring Lion |
| Primary Target | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (Confirmed deceased) |
| Regional Impact | Airspace closures in UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Israel |
| Retaliation | Iranian drone and missile strikes on U.S. bases and civilian airports |
The Government’s Defensive Pivot
Appearing on the same program, Defence Secretary John Healey defended the government’s “defensive-only” posture. He confirmed that while the UK played “no part” in the offensive strikes, RAF Typhoons operating from Qatar and Cyprus are actively intercepting Iranian drones and missiles to protect regional allies and British interests.
Healey notably declined to confirm whether the UK views the U.S.-Israeli strikes as legal under international law, stating repeatedly that it was for the U.S. to “set out the legal basis” for its actions. This ambiguity has drawn fire from both the Conservative opposition and the Green Party, with the latter condemning the assassination of Khamenei as having “no justification.”
Strategic Analysis: The Political Fallout
Patel’s remarks are seen by analysts as an attempt to position the Conservative Party as the more reliable partner for a second Trump administration. By criticizing Starmer’s “diplomatic caution,” she is tapping into a broader debate regarding Britain’s relevance on the world stage when its allies choose kinetic action over containment.
However, the risks are high. Iran has already retaliated with “indiscriminate” strikes on civilian infrastructure in Kuwait and the UAE, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz threatens a global energy crisis. Patel’s “all-in” stance contrasts sharply with the E3 (UK, France, Germany) joint statement, which continues to urge a return to the negotiating table—a prospect that seems increasingly remote following the decapitation of the Iranian leadership.