Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi delivered the message in a phone call with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, who told him that UK operations in the region were in response to Iran’s own strikes on Gulf countries. She also condemned the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key international shipping route, and warned Tehran against targeting UK bases, territory or interests. “She made clear that the UK wants to see a swift resolution to this conflict. “The Foreign Secretary also warned Iran against targeting UK bases, territory or interests directly and restated the UK’s focus on regional stability and security.”Downing Street had earlier defended the UK’s position, saying it was “not getting drawn into the wider war”. Iran has increasingly targeted energy sites in Gulf states after Israel bombed the South Pars offshore natural gas field on Wednesday.

Source: The Times March 21, 2026 03:48 UTC