LONDON, March 7, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Britain is ready to help defend Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Keir Starmer told the kingdom's de facto leader in a call on Friday as the Middle East war escalates. Countries around the Gulf have been hit by strikes, with Saudi Arabia -- a longstanding rival of Iran -- reporting it had intercepted a cruise missile and three drones on Friday. Starmer spoke to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and assured him "the UK stood ready to support the defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia should it be needed," the PM's spokeswoman said. "The leaders also discussed stepping up intelligence cooperation to support defensive operations and protect civilians," the spokeswoman said. Starmer has come under fire from some opposition voices at home who accuse him of being too slow to respond to the Middle East war.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha March 07, 2026 15:16 UTC