Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Middle East: UK Armed Forces Personnel

Monday 16 March 2026 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK strengthened its defences in the Middle East ahead of the conflict by deploying extra jets, radars, and defence systems.
  • Iran's attacks on water desalination plants have shown disregard for civilian life, according to the Secretary of State.
  • HMS Dragon was deployed as part of the UK's adaptive response to protect British lives and interests in the face of changing circumstances.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Lizzi Collinge Lab Morecambe and Lunesdale
Defence Foreign Affairs
Context

The question follows reports of alleged attacks on water desalination plants by both US and Iranian forces, which are contrary to international law.

Question

I thank the Secretary of State for his answer. About 10 days ago, we saw alleged attacks by both US and Iranian forces on water desalination plants in the middle east, which is in direct contravention of international law. Civilians in the middle east are reliant on desalinated water for survival, and targeting it is absolutely unacceptable. Can the Secretary of State confirm that UK forces operating in the middle east continue to operate fully under international law, and that we condemn operations that target civilian infrastructure?

Answer from John Healey

My hon. Friend is right: Iran's widespread strikes have shown a total disregard for civilian life. Because I strengthened British defences in the region ahead of this conflict with extra jets, radars and defence systems, from day one we have been co-ordinating defensive actions, with a sound legal basis, to protect British citizens and bases, and our allies in the region.

Answered
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Q2 Lizzi Collinge Lab Morecambe and Lunesdale
Defence
Context

The MP raises concerns about the potential threats to UK armed forces stationed at RAF Akrotiri, including chemical and biological weapons from Iran.

Question

I have constituents at RAF Akrotiri who have been deployed out of RAF Cosford in my constituency, and I have already had correspondence from concerned constituents and their families. The Iranian regime has a very potent chemical and biological weapons programme. I have asked the Defence Secretary this question before: will he confirm that there is CBRN—chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear—protective kit at Akrotiri and other UK armed forces military bases in the region? The Iranian regime also has a very potent submarine fleet—it may not be nuclear or Trident-led, as ours is, but it is nevertheless a significant threat in the region—so could he say what he is doing to address both those threats?

Answer from John Healey

The right hon. Gentleman is right about the range of threats that the Iranian regime poses, especially, as we have seen, as it hits back after the first wave of strikes. Those hits are widespread, they hit countries not involved in the conflict and they are directed at civilian, not just military targets. I say to his constituents living as well as serving in Akrotiri that when I was out there about 10 days ago I made a point of asking our base commander if there was anything further he needed from us back in Britain, and he said, “I have got everything that I asked for to protect ourselves.”

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answerer did not confirm the presence of CBRN protective equipment or address submarine threats specifically.

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Q3 Mark Pritchard Con The Wrekin
Defence Foreign Affairs
Context

US President Donald Trump has requested help from the UK and NATO allies in securing the strait of Hormuz, which is crucial for international shipping.

Question

After having insulted Great Britain for our response in not joining his war and then claiming that he did not need British help after having “already won” the war, President Donald Trump has now sent an SOS to the world, including to the UK and other NATO allies, to help him protect the strait of Hormuz. I think it is in our national interests to stop the disruption to global shipping, because otherwise that will drive up the cost of goods and the cost of living for my Slough constituents and others across the country. Will the Secretary of State clarify what the Government's response will be to the US President's request? How will my right hon. Friend ensure the safety of British armed forces personnel if they are to engage in any such operations?

Answer from John Healey

As the Prime Minister said this morning, in fact—my hon. Friend is right—the strait of Hormuz is vital. It is vital to the international economy and to security. We are in continued conversations with European allies and the US. These questions are complex, and any plans must be multilateral, with as many nations taking part as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific details about UK's response or safety measures for personnel involved.

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Q4 Tan Dhesi Lab Slough
Foreign Affairs
Context

There is a debate on whether securing the strait of Hormuz and de-escalating conflict in the middle east are mutually exclusive goals.

Question

Ministers were all over the airwaves this weekend saying two things: first, that they would like to see a de-escalation of the conflict in the middle east; and, secondly, that they would like to see the strait of Hormuz secured for shipping. Why on earth does the Secretary of State think that those two aims are mutually exclusive? If they are mutually exclusive, how can he achieve both?

Answer from John Healey

Quite simply, we will do so by making a major contribution, as we are, to discussions about any multinational plans that may be put in place to safeguard for the future the commercial shipping that is the lifeline both of the international economy and of international security.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific details on how these goals can be achieved simultaneously.

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Q5 Lincoln Jopp Con Spelthorne
Defence
Context

The MP questions the delay in deploying HMS Dragon after British personnel were attacked by Iran.

Question

British personnel in Cyprus, Bahrain, Iraq and across the middle east have been attacked by Iran and its proxies. In such circumstances, we must act quickly to protect our people and interests. Having served on Royal Navy vessels, I know it takes time to ready a ship, yet nearly two weeks passed before the Government sent a single destroyer— HMS Dragon—to help defend our forces in Cyprus. Why was that decision not taken sooner, and given that the Royal Navy had advised deploying assets earlier, which Minister took the decision not to act on that point?

Answer from John Healey

I strengthened UK defences ahead of the conflict. Once the scale and nature of the indiscriminate and widespread Iranian response became clear and the circumstances were changing, we altered and adopted further actions. The deployment of HMS Dragon was part of that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not address the timing or ministerial decision-making process directly.

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Q6 David Reed Con Exmouth and Exeter East
Defence Foreign Affairs
Context

The question arises from discussions before the decision to deploy HMS Dragon, where Royal Navy recommendations were put forward but not immediately acted upon. This delay is under scrutiny for potential consequences on British personnel safety.

Question

Given the volatility of the international system, we must learn from our mistakes. In a written answer on 9 March, the Minister for the Armed Forces confirmed that discussions took place before the decision to deploy HMS Dragon. We know those conversations happened and that the Royal Navy put forward recommendations. When British personnel are under threat, those delays carry consequences. I ask again: will the Secretary of State tell the House which Minister chose not to act on that advice sooner, and, crucially, why?

Answer from John Healey

As I have said to the House more than once, and as the Chief of the Defence Staff said on the BBC the weekend before last, the day the deployment was put to Ministers as an option, in the circumstances of conflict that were changing at the time, we adapted our actions to protect British lives, to protect British allies and to protect citizens right across the region.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific minister who did not act on the advice sooner was not identified, nor was a reason provided for delaying action on the Royal Navy's recommendations.

How: As I Have Said To The House More Than Once, The Chief Of The Defence Staff Said On The Bbc

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