France, Germany, U.K. ready to take ‘defensive action’ against Iran

France, Germany and the U.K. said on Sunday (March 1, 2026) they were ready to defend their interests and those of its allies in the Gulf if necessary by taking "defensive action" against Iran.

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The three countries' leaders were "appalled by the indiscriminate and disproportionate missile attacks launched by Iran against countries in the region, including those who were not involved in initial U.S. and Israeli military operations", said the joint statement.

"Iran's reckless attacks have targeted our close allies and are threatening our service personnel and our civilians across the region," the statement added.

"We call on Iran to stop these reckless attacks immediately.

"We will take steps to defend our interests and those of our allies in the region, potentially through enabling necessary and proportionate defensive action to destroy Iran's capability to fire missiles and drones at their source," said the statement.

"We have agreed to work together with the U.S. and allies in the region on this matter."

Iran has launched a series of missile and drone strikes on several Gulf countries, saying it is targeting U.S. bases, after being hit by U.S.-Israeli missile strikes from Saturday (February 28, 2026).

Iran's attacks have hit a multinational military base near Arbil in northern Iraq, and a German army camp in the east of Jordan, a German army spokesman told AFP, confirming media reports.

There had been no casualties in the attacks, he added.

#### Use of British ‌bases

British Prime Minister Keir ‌Starmer said on Sunday (March 1, 2026) that ⁠his country has accepted a U.S. ‌request to use British ‌bases for ‌defensive ⁠strikes ⁠against Iranian missiles in storage depots or launchers.

“The ‌United States has requested permission to use ‌British bases for that specific and limited ⁠defensive purpose. We have taken ‌the decision to accept this request to prevent Iran ‌firing missiles across the region,” Mr. Starmer said in ⁠a video ⁠message on X.

He added: “We were not involved in the initial strikes on Iran and we will not join offensive action now.

My update on the situation in the Middle East. pic.twitter.com/DvsOVcTDMy— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) March 1, 2026

My update on the situation in the Middle East. pic.twitter.com/DvsOVcTDMy

#### Iran on U.S.-Israeli attack

Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced a "large-scale" attack on Sunday (March 1, 2026), and blasts were heard in Riyadh, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Manama, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, with Israeli rescue services reporting at least nine people killed in the city of Beit Shemesh.

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian declared Khamenei's killing a "declaration of war against Muslims" and warned: "Iran considers it its legitimate duty and right to avenge the perpetrators and masterminds of this historic crime."

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told U.S. channel ABC News on Sunday (March 1, 2026): "We are defending ourselves whatever it takes, and we see no limit for ourselves to defend our people, to protect our people."

Published - March 02, 2026 02:56 am IST

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