UK, France, and Germany Pledge to Defend Gulf Allies as European Powers Drawn Into Iran Conflict

Britain, France, and Germany issued a joint statement declaring they are 'appalled' by Iran's retaliatory strikes against Gulf countries and are setting up increased defensive postures to protect their allies in the region — with the UK authorizing the use of British military bases for American strikes against Iranian missile capabilities. The Royal Air Force has already intercepted Iranian drones threatening Qatar and Cyprus. The European intervention transforms what began as a U.S.-Israeli operation into an expanding coalition effort, while simultaneously exposing Europe's delicate balancing act between supporting Western allies and avoiding full-scale war with Iran. Britain's decision to offer its bases marks the deepest European military commitment to the conflict so far.