Ministry of Defence update on operations in the Middle East 07 March 2026

Update on operations in the Middle East.

• The United States has started using British bases for specific defensive operations to prevent Iran firing missiles into the region, which is putting British lives at risk.
• RAF Typhoon and F-35 jets have continued air operations over Jordan, Qatar, and Cyprus and the wider region in defence of British interests and allies.
• A Merlin helicopter is on the way to the region, providing additional airborne surveillance and further reinforcing our defensive capabilities that were pre-deployed earlier in the year.