Foreign Secretary David Lammy asserts legal right for United Kingdom to strike Iranian missile sites

David Lammy asserts the UK has the legal right to strike Iranian missile sites to protect personnel, as F-35s from Cyprus intercept regional drone threats.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 6, 2026, 5:36 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Cyprus Mail

Legal Justification for Regional Defense

Foreign Secretary David Lammy informed the BBC on Friday that it is entirely legal for the United Kingdom to protect its people and staff, making all operational capacity available under such circumstances. When questioned about the prospect of direct strikes against Iran, Lammy indicated that the government can take down sites anticipating attacks on British personnel across the region. He emphasized that these actions are framed as a defensive response to being attacked, rather than as an escalation of the ongoing conflict.

Airbase Defense and Military Deployment

During his televised appearance, Lammy defended the government's response to a recent drone strike on the British Akrotiri air force base in Cyprus. He confirmed that 400 additional staff members have been deployed to manage air defenses, including personnel stationed over Cyprus. The Foreign Secretary noted that the United Kingdom has deployed Typhoon and F-35 fighter jets to the region to reinforce these positions. Defense Secretary John Healey visited the site recently to oversee these operations, which Lammy described as essential for protecting staff and supporting international allies.

Operational Role of Cyprus Bases

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed on Thursday night that British bases in Cyprus have served as the launchpad for missions specifically aimed at engaging and shooting down Iranian drones. The Ministry of Defence announced that Royal Air Force F-35 fighter jets flew over Jordan to intercept these targets, marking the first time the F-35 has been used to shoot down a target during active operations. Starmer sought to reassure residents in Cyprus that every measure is being taken to protect the airbase and the surrounding region following a drone strike that hit Akrotiri on Monday.