The UK “stands ready 24/7 to defend itself” says the Government after Iran claimed the country would “bear responsibility” for allowing the US to use British bases08:17, 24 Jul 2026Updated 08:53, 24 Jul 2026Britain has "advanced capabilities" to defend itself says the Government amid Iran's threat it would “bear responsibility” for allowing the US to use UK bases.‌Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the Government of “complicity in the crime of aggression and war crimes” by allowing the US to carry out “unlawful attacks”.‌The UK has refused to take part in offensive campaigns against Iran but it has allowed the US to launch defensive strikes from British bases hosting American personnel.‌In a statement, Iran said that anyone who supports “military aggression against Iran will bear responsibility for the consequences and repercussions of its decision”.And the threat from Iran comes as the chief executive of BAE Systems has warned that defence spending in the UK “falls well short” of what is required. Charles Woodburn described the current climate as “the most threatening time I’ve seen” and pointed to the advances made by Russia in Ukraine.‌The United States has carried out 13 consecutive nights of strikes against targets in Iran, indicating potential further escalation.Andy Burnham, the new Prime Minister, has maintained Sir Keir Starmer’s agreement to allow the US to use British bases, including RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said: “Our armed forces are ready to keep the United Kingdom safe from any kind of attacks, whether it’s on our soil or from abroad. The UK stands ready 24/7 to defend itself.‌“This includes through operating a layered approach to air and missile defence, provided by Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force assets equipped with a range of advanced capabilities, working closely with our NATO allies.“The UK’s approach to the conflict remains the same – we are committed to defending our people, our interests and our allies, acting in accordance with international law and not getting drawn into the wider conflict.”Iran’s comments also come after the Government moved to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a threat to national security. Those carrying out acts of sabotage on behalf of the group will face life imprisonment.‌It follows a series of arson attacks in London earlier this year and a double stabbing in Golders Green.US Central Command said the 13th night of strikes on Iran, which began late on Thursday, were designed to “further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional waters” as the two countries wrestle for control of the Strait of Hormuz.Explosions were heard in Bandar Abbas and Qesham on the coast, according to Iranian state media, as well as further north in Andimeshk and Omidiyeh.‌Announcing the end of the latest strikes, US Central Command said Iranian military command centres, drone storage facilities, communication networks, coastal surveillance sites and maritime capabilities had been targeted.Their statement said the Strait of Hormuz “remains open for transit despite recent attacks from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps”. Trump on Thursday said he would “hold Iran responsible” for attacks on shipping by the Houthis in Yemen and the US would seize Iranian assets to cover the cost of damaged ships.Iran’s foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi described such an act as “incendiary”. He said on social media on Friday: “Those who celebrate or profit from such funds should remember: once governments normalize confiscation, no one’s assets are safe. Ensuing chaos will not be pretty or peaceful.”Article continues belowThe Government announced plans to increase defence spending by an additional £15 billion in June but then defence secretary John Healey resigned because of inadequate military funding.But Mr Woodburn, of BAE Systems, told the BBC that the extra funding still “falls well short of what is needed to protect the country”.“This is by far the most threatening time I’ve seen,” he said. “Even when I joined the company in 2016 I was amazed at what we saw Russian submarines doing, the cyber attacks. I think that’s come a long way sadly as a result of the Ukraine conflict we’re much more aware of the proximity of a hot war in Europe.”