British Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined the leaders of France and Germany in condemning Iran's retaliatory missile strikes across the Middle East on February 28, calling on Tehran to refrain from further military action and seek a negotiated solution, PA Media reported.

US President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on February 28, 2026, with Israel launching initial strikes on Tehran and other sites, prompting Iranian retaliation and widespread airspace closure, hitting several Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia. 

Starmer chaired a meeting of the Government's emergency "Cobra" or Cabinet Briefing Room A committee before speaking to French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, after which the three leaders issued a joint statement condemning Iran's retaliation "in the strongest terms."

"Iran must refrain from indiscriminate military strikes. We urge the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution. Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future," the three leaders said in their joint statement.

In a televised statement, he said that the Royal Air Force was supporting but did not take an active role in the US and Israeli strikes on the Iranian mainland. 

The three European leaders said they were in close contact with international partners, including the United States and Israel.

"Due to reported missile attacks, British nationals in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and United Arab Emirates should immediately shelter in place. Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities," the FCDO said, adding "Britain was not involved in the US-Israeli strikes on Iran and the Government separately advised UK nationals in parts of the Middle East to shelter in place as Iranian missiles targeted US military bases in Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE," according to its X social media account.

US and Israeli forces struck Iran earlier on February 28 in what the two countries described as a pre-emptive operation against a government intent on developing nuclear weapons.

Iran launched retaliatory strikes under Operation True Promise 4, with the IRGC confirming missile and drone attacks on the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and American bases in Qatar and the UAE, as well as targets inside Israel.