Defense Secretary John Healey has twice refused to rule out Britain joining an attack on Iran when asked by Sky News.
He said he had the option of deploying HMS Dragon to the Mediterranean for weeks.
Interviewed at RAF Akrotiri CyprusA Sky Europe reporter asked the minister Ali Bankal If they can rule out Britain entering the conflict in an offensive capacity.
Defense Secretary John Healy conducted the interview at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
He responded: “When the circumstances of any conflict change, you must be prepared to adapt the course of action you take.”
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Mr Healy then listed defensive measures including the use of anti-drone helicopters, deploying HMS Dragon to the eastern Mediterranean and bringing in planners to coordinate an international response.
Pressed whether they would rule out British aircraft taking part in offensive operations IranMr. Healy again refused.
“Everything we have done has been defensive, legal and coordinated with other allies,” he said.
HMS Dragon in Portsmouth gearing up for deployment. Image: Reuters
Minister’s island visit Drone attack on RAF Akrotiri On Monday, two more UAVs were intercepted en route to the base later that day.
During his visit, Mr Healy met his Cypriot counterpart Vasilis Palmas “to discuss how the UK is further strengthening our air defenses to support our shared security”, a government spokesman said.
After the US and Israel, Iran has been conducting rocket and drone attacks across the Middle East A joint attack was launched Saturday over the country.
RAF Akrotiri, a British sovereign base in Cyprus, was hit by a drone in the early hours of Monday, March 4, 2026, causing limited damage. REUT
After Monday’s drone strike, the decision was taken Commissioned HMS DragonAir defense frigate, to the Mediterranean.
But Sky News revealed on Wednesday that the ship is not ready to leave and will not sail until next week.
Asked when the option of deploying HMS Dragon was first on his desk, Mr Healy deflected.
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An unexploded Iranian missile landed near Qamishli in eastern Syria. Image: AP
He said one of the options available to him was when he made decisions weeks before the conflict began to strengthen British defenses in the region.
The decision to deploy the warship was made because the government was “in a position to better assess the nature of Iran’s response,” he said.
