Minister insists UK is safe despite stark warning Iran has firepower to hit London

Housing Secretary Steve Reed insisted Britain was safe despite warnings that Iran was developing long-range firepower that could reach Britain.

Israel has issued a stark warning that Iran’s missiles pose a threat to European cities including London, Paris and Berlin, following an attack on the British-US Diego Garcia military base in the Chagos Islands.

Foreign Affairs Minister Yvette Cooper on Saturday slammed Iran’s “reckless” action after two ballistic missiles were launched at the base. Both failed; one was shot down by a US warship and the other failed in flight.

Mr Reed told Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips: “We have systems and defenses to keep the UK safe and that will continue to happen, but the Prime Minister has been very clear about this battle.

“We have not joined the war, we will not be dragged into it, but we will take the necessary defensive actions to protect British interests, the British people or our allies in the region.”

He said that the destruction of one of the missiles fired at Diego Garcia and the failure of the other showed that “our defense capabilities are correct.”

On Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Tehran had launched a long-range missile for the first time since the start of the war, showing it could now reach cities such as London, Paris or Berlin.

It was claimed that the missiles could travel a distance of approximately 4,000 km, meaning they posed a danger to dozens of countries in Europe, Asia and Africa. A post about X said: “We say this: The Iranian terrorist regime poses a global threat. Now its missiles can reach London, Paris or Berlin.”

Diego Garcia is approximately 3,800 km (2,360 mi) from Iran. The distance between Iran and England is approximately 4,435 km (2,750 mi).

Mr. Reed later refused to say how close Iran’s long-range missiles had come to reaching Diego Garcia, insisting it would only benefit Iran.

He also appeared to suggest Israel’s warning was exaggerated, saying the IDF’s statement was “conditional”, adding “there is no assessment to substantiate what’s being said”.

He also did not address whether the government supports Donald Trump’s new 48-hour deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, saying that was a question for the US President.

Earlier Sunday, Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social that the country had 48 hours to comply or the United States would “destroy” Iran’s power plants.

The Conservatives accused Sir Keir Starmer of risking Britain’s “position in the world” by “hesitating” on Iran.

Sir James Cleverly, the shadow housing secretary, said Mr Trump had been “deeply unfair” when he accused Britain and its European NATO allies of being cowards.

But he added: “But I don’t think it helped that our prime minister was sitting there with his hands at a time when Canadians, a left-of-centre government, were supporting action against Iran. Australia, a left-of-centre government, were supporting action against Iran, so it’s not a left-right divide. The fact is Keir Starmer was uncertain, hesitant, hesitant, and I’m afraid that undermined Iran.” Our position in the world.”

This is breaking news, more to come…