Britain dispatched six advanced fighter jets to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus on Friday to beef up security amid rising concerns of a US military strike on Iran.
The deployment came as Donald Trump signed an executive order authorising potential tariffs of up to 25 per cent on countries that continue trading with Iran.
Stalemate and sanctions
On Friday, talks between the US and Iran concluded, with Iran’s foreign minister describing them as a “good start”. However, immediately after the talks Donald Trump announced new sanctions targeting Iran’s oil exports.
At the heart of the dispute is a stalemate over Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme.
Washington wants strict limits to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon. While Iran insists its enrichment capability is a sovereign right and has refused to dismantle it, requesting sanctions relief instead.
Iran: Increased security measures, road closures, public transportation disruptions, and internet blockages are ongoing. The Government of Iran continues to restrict access to mobile, landline, and national internet networks. Airlines continue to limit or cancel flights to and… pic.twitter.com/JrvroDukXc
— TravelGov (@TravelGov) February 6, 2026The US also issued an updated for American citizens in Iran to leave the country immediately this week.
Significant US military build up
Fear of war hangs over Iran. The six F-35Bs that left RAF Marham on Friday will defend the Cyprus base and sovereign base territories should the situation in the region become “hot”, The Times reported.
The US has also moved the USS Abraham Lincoln supercarrier and supporting warships and fighter jets near Iranian waters and bolstered air defences at US bases across the region.
The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, accompanied by two military supply ships, and two U.S. Coast Guard cutters, sailed together in the Arabian Sea today as aircraft from Carrier Air Wing 9 flew overhead. Peace through Strength! pic.twitter.com/xkiCk8qymB
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 6, 2026Although there has not been an official US declaration of war or a confirmed US attack on Iranian territory, US forces shot down an Iranian drone that approached the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea on 3 February.
US military jets and hardware have also been tracked moving into bases in the Middle East and Europe over the last week.
UK military support
In January, the UK deployed Typhoon jets from No. 12 Squadron RAF to Qatar, following a Qatari request for military support amid rising regional tensions.
Prior to this, the UK’s military footprint in the Middle East has been strategic rather than expansive and includes air bases in Cyprus and Qatar, a naval hub in Bahrain, port access in Oman, and training missions in Iraq.
These facilities allow Britain to respond quickly to crises without being permanently locked into large-scale conflicts.
The F-35s will join Typhoons already in Cyprus carrying out missions over Iraq and Syria to bolster regional readiness amid rising Iran tensions.
Typhoons are also permanently stationed for Operation Shader airstrikes in Iraq and Syria.
Iran opposition to talks on defence capabilities
Trump stepped back from threatened strikes in January. There were warnings from Gulf allies of the risk of regional conflagration and calls from Israel to hold off until stretched air defences were replenished.
The latest negotiations in Oman were against the backdrop of a large American military build-up in the Gulf, making the threat of action more credible.
Iran, which succeeded in switching the venue for talks from Istanbul to Muscat, had insisted that only its nuclear programme was up for discussion, and flatly ruled out talks on its “defence capabilities, including missiles and their range”.
Threat of US launching strike from Diego Garcia
The most significant UK-US military base with regards to Iran, is Diego Garcia deep in the Indian Ocean.
The strategic base puts US bomber aircraft within 5,300 kilometres of Iran and could allow them to attack the Islamic Republic while avoiding Gulf airspace.
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However, sign off on the US deploying from the base to strike Iran would have to come from the British government.
If Washington asks Sir Kier Starmer for permission to use the base for an attack, the Prime Minister would need to seek advice from Jonathan Powell, his national security adviser, who was Tony Blair’s chief of staff during the Iraq War in 2003.
Two weeks ago, Britain temporarily closed its embassy in Tehran and evacuated its staff amid concerns about the security situation. The Foreign Office said the mission would operate remotely and updated its travel advice accordingly.
No date for next round of negotiations
Talks between the US and Iran ended Friday with both sides agreeing to continue negotiations – with no formal second round date set.
Iran wants continued talks restricted to its nuclear programme, while the US is pushing to broaden the agenda to include missile programmes and regional activity.
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