This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51031471
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Iran attack: Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab condemns missile strikes | Iran attack: Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab condemns missile strikes |
(32 minutes later) | |
Dominic Raab has condemned a ballistic missile attack by Iran on air bases in Iraq where coalition forces, including British personnel, are stationed. | |
The foreign secretary urged Iran not to repeat "reckless and dangerous attacks" after strikes on bases in Irbil in the north, and al Asad, west of Baghdad. | |
The Ministry of Defence said there were no UK casualties. | The Ministry of Defence said there were no UK casualties. |
Iran's Revolutionary Guard said the action was in retaliation for the death of General Qasem Soleimani on Friday. | Iran's Revolutionary Guard said the action was in retaliation for the death of General Qasem Soleimani on Friday. |
He was killed outside Baghdad airport in a missile strike ordered by US President Donald Trump. | He was killed outside Baghdad airport in a missile strike ordered by US President Donald Trump. |
Mr Raab said he was concerned by reports of casualties and a war in the Middle East would only benefit terrorist groups. | Mr Raab said he was concerned by reports of casualties and a war in the Middle East would only benefit terrorist groups. |
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay stressed that all parties in the crisis "need to de-escalate". | |
"It's in no side's interest to see war," he said. | |
Mr Barclay added that Prime Minister Boris Johnson would be updating the House of Commons later, and would also discuss the situation at a meeting with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday. | |
Iran's ambassador to the UK, Hamid Baeidinejad, said in a statement on Twitter that the attack was an act of self-defence and the country "does not seek escalation or war". | |
There are around 400 UK troops stationed in Iraq, primarily to assist Iraqi troops in defeating IS. | |
More than a dozen missiles were fired from Iranian territories into Iraq at about 2:00am local time (10.30 GMT). | More than a dozen missiles were fired from Iranian territories into Iraq at about 2:00am local time (10.30 GMT). |
The al Asad airbase - located in the Anbar province of western Iraq - was hit by at least six missiles. | |
A Ministry of Defence spokesman added: "We are urgently working to establish the facts on the ground. Our first priority continues to be the security of British personnel." | |
On Tuesday, the UK put the Royal Navy and military helicopters on standby in the Gulf amid the rising tensions in the Middle East. | On Tuesday, the UK put the Royal Navy and military helicopters on standby in the Gulf amid the rising tensions in the Middle East. |
The government said non-essential UK personnel had also been moved out of the Iraqi capital Baghdad. | The government said non-essential UK personnel had also been moved out of the Iraqi capital Baghdad. |