00:00Mr Speaker, the United Kingdom was not involved in the initial strikes on Iran by the US
00:05and Israel. That decision was deliberate. We believe that the best way forward for the
00:13region and for the world is a negotiated settlement. President Trump has expressed his disagreement
00:19with our decision not to get involved in the initial strikes. But it is my duty to judge
00:27what is in Britain's national interest. That is what I have done, and I stand by it.
00:34It is important for me to say that our bases in Cyprus are not being used by US bombers.
00:44The security of our friends and partners in Cyprus is of critical importance. And, Mr
00:51Speaker, I want to be clear. The strike on RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus was not in response to
01:00any decision that we have taken. It is very clear that the death of the Supreme Leader will
01:07not stop Iran from launching these strikes. In fact, their approach is becoming even more
01:14reckless and more dangerous to civilians. They are working ruthlessly and deliberately through
01:21a plan to strike not only military targets, but also economic targets in the region, with
01:29no regard for civilian casualties. The only way to stop the threat is to destroy the missiles
01:35at source, in their storage depots or at the launchers. The US requested permission to use British
01:44bases for that specific and limited defensive purpose, because they have the capabilities to
01:53do so. Yesterday evening, we took the decision to accept that new request in order to prevent
02:02Iran firing missiles across the region. To be clear, the use of British bases is limited to the agreed
02:09defensive purposes. We are not joining the US and Israeli offensive strike.
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