British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Bahrain’s king that four aircraft the UK is deploying to Qatar could be used to help defend the kingdom from Iranian missile and drone attacks on the Gulf states.
“The Prime Minister also offered more defensive air cover from these aircraft to Bahrain to bolster its security,” Starmer told Hamad bin Al Khalifa in a phone call Thursday night, according to a readout from Starmer’s office on Friday.
“Her Majesty welcomed the confirmation and agreed that the operational teams would work together on plans in the coming days.”
Earlier, the British ambassador to Bahrain said the UK would be part of the “defence” of Bahrain by having Royal Air Force fighter jets flying over the island kingdom as it faces attacks from Iran.
Ambassador Alastair Long made the announcement in an Instagram post.
“Today, I am delighted to tell people that the UK will be flying RAF aircraft over Bahrain as a contribution to the defense of Bahrain, one of our closest allies around the world,” Long said.
“It is very important for the UK that we are part of the defense of Bahrain and ensuring that it prevails in this terrible attack on it by Iran.”
AP with Josefine Ganko
