The NEN – North Edinburgh News

A cross-government group has been established by the Scottish Government to consider the impacts of the ongoing conflict in Iran and the surrounding region for Scotland.

The group’s priorities include ensuring close co-ordination with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on consular support for any Scottish residents living, working or travelling through impacted countries.

It will also provide advice to Ministers on the potential economic impacts of the conflict for people and businesses in Scotland, as well as any steps to be taken to reassure different affected communities around the country.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “People across Scotland will be deeply concerned about the unfolding situation in Iran and the surrounding countries impacted by this conflict.

“At the First Minister’s request, officials across government are working at pace to understand and mitigate any impacts that this conflict may have for Scots at home and abroad. This also includes any steps which can be taken to reassure different affected communities around the country.

“The Scottish Government remains in close contact with the UK Government for updates on this situation as it unfolds. In the meantime it is important to monitor official updates and follow any advice from the FCDO, which has asked British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Palestine, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to register their presence, to ensure they receive the latest updates.”

First Minister John Swinney has called for a diplomatic solution to help bring violence to an end amidst the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The First Minister said before the meeting: “I am deeply concerned at the escalation of the conflict in the aftermath of the United States and Israel’s strikes on Iran.

“At what is a profoundly dangerous and uncertain moment for the region and the wider world, it is essential that all nations abide by the international rules-based system. The events of the last few days do not suggest to me that the United States and Israel have done this.

“This initial action gives rise to an inevitable escalation of the conflict, and the decision of the UK Prime Minister to allow UK military bases to be used by the United States in this operation creates further risks and dangers. It is a matter of real concern that the UK has now been drawn into this conflict and the Prime Minister needs to set out clearly how the risks we now face can be reduced.

“It is unclear what the exit strategy is for this military action or that there has been appropriate planning to ensure stability in the region.

“The dangerous consequences of these strikes are already being felt by civilians, including many Scottish nationals, and underline the need to bring this conflict to a peaceful resolution. While that crucial work takes place, we will continue to engage with the UK Government on the support that can be provided to those in the region.

“There can be no doubt that the Iranian government is a brutal, repressive and undemocratic regime which must never have access to nuclear weapons. But the main victims of that regime have been the people of Iran, who are suffering terribly.

“The Iranian people must have democratic rights and should have the opportunity to decide their own future. But history shows us that this is rarely if ever achieved by external intervention – indeed this type of military intervention can often be wholly counterproductive.

“There must be a diplomatic solution to bring this violence to an end. The international community must now come together to ensure de-escalation, an end to hostilities and a return to negotiations. Peace must prevail.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer updated the House of Commons yesterday:

With permission, Mr Speaker, I will update the House on the situation in Iran, the wider region, and the United Kingdom’s response.

The United Kingdom was not involved in the initial US and Israeli strikes on Iran. That decision was deliberate. We believe that the best path for the region is through a negotiated settlement, one in which Iran agrees to abandon its aspiration to develop a nuclear weapon and ceases its destabilising activities across the Middle East. That has been the longstanding position of successive British governments.

President Trump has expressed his disagreement with our decision not to join the initial strikes. But it is my duty to judge what is in Britain’s national interest, and that is the judgement I made. I stand by it.

However, Mr Speaker, it is now clear that Iran’s outrageous response has become a threat to our partners, to our interests, and to our allies. Iran has lashed out across the region. It has launched hundreds of missiles and drones at countries which did not attack it, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, Bahrain and Oman. And overnight, Hezbollah, Iran’s proxy, carried out further attacks on Israel, seeking to escalate the conflict.

There are an estimated 300,000 British citizens across the region; residents, families, holidaymakers and others, many of whom are currently in airports and hotels where significant disruption is taking place. This is deeply concerning for the whole House and the whole country.

Our Armed Forces have also come under pressure. Last night, at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, an Iranian drone struck within 800 yards of British personnel. Thankfully, there were no casualties.

It is important for me to be clear: our bases in Cyprus have not been used by US forces for offensive strikes. A strike on RAF Akrotiri was not in response to any decision the UK has taken. Our assessment is that the drone was launched before our announcement. Iran’s hostility toward Britain and our interests is long‑standing, which is why our forces are always held at a high level of readiness.

Mr Speaker, it is very clear that the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader has not moderated the regime. In fact, their actions are becoming even more reckless, destabilising and ruthless, deliberately planned to cause destruction not only to military targets but to civilian ones, with no regard for human life. That is the situation we face, and to which we must respond.

I have spoken to our partners, many of whom feel utterly outraged by Iran’s attacks, particularly as they played no part in any strike against Iran. They have asked us to do more to help defend them.

And, Mr Speaker, my highest duty is to protect British lives. For several days now, British jets, Typhoons and F‑35s, have been deployed as part of coalition defensive operations. They have already successfully intercepted multiple threats, including drones heading toward a coalition base in Iraq housing UK personnel. I want to pay tribute to the bravery of our servicemen and women, who put themselves in harm’s way to keep others safe. The whole House will join me in expressing our gratitude.

But it is simply not possible to shoot down every Iranian missile and drone once they are launched. The only way to prevent these attacks is to destroy the missiles at source, in their storage depots or at their launchers.

The United States requested permission to use British bases for that specific, limited defensive purpose. They have the capabilities required to prevent Iranian missiles from killing civilians, British nationals, or our allies in countries that played no part in the initial strike.

To be clear: the use of British bases is strictly limited to agreed defensive purposes. The UK has not joined US offensive operations. Our action is rooted in the principle of collective self‑defence of longstanding friends and in the protection of British lives. We have published a summary of our legal position, which sets this out clearly. We will keep this decision under review.

France and Germany are also prepared to support the US in preventing Iran’s ability to launch further missile and drone attacks. I have been in close contact with President Macron and Chancellor Merz, as well as leaders across the region.

Mr Speaker, the Iranian regime has long brought horror to the world. Its actions have destabilised the region for decades, sponsored terrorism worldwide, targeted British shipping in the Red Sea, and supported Russia’s attack on Ukraine.

Here in the UK, Iran has directed threats toward dissidents and the Jewish community. Over the last year alone, Iran-backed plots against people in the UK have been disrupted. We must be clear about the threat that Iran poses.

This is a dangerous moment. Our first thoughts are with British citizens in the region—friends, family members and constituents. I recognise the deep concern felt by those with loved ones caught up in these events.

We are asking all British nationals in the region to register their presence with the FCDO so we can provide them with the best possible support. Across much of the region, airspace remains severely restricted. Local authorities in several countries are advising individuals to shelter in place.

We are deploying rapid‑response teams to support British nationals. We are in close contact with our partners, including in the UAE, given the possibility of British nationals needing to leave from there. We are exploring all options for helping our citizens return home as swiftly and safely as possible. Ministers are also engaging directly with airlines.

We are also in touch with community groups across the UK, including Muslim and Jewish organisations, and we are ensuring that sensitive sites have appropriate security.

Mr Speaker, the situation in the region is evolving rapidly. I will continue to update the House.

We have learned from the mistakes of the past. We were not involved in the initial strikes, and we will not join offensive US strikes. But in the face of Iran’s dangerous escalation, we will defend British nationals and support the collective self‑defence of our allies. That is our duty to the British people.

It is the best way to prevent further escalation, to protect British interests and British lives. That is what this Government has done, and I commend this statement to the House.