UK troops and civilians put at risk by Iran strikes, Healey says

The defence secretary has said protecting UK bases and civilians in the Middle East from "indiscriminate attacks" by Iran was his priority.

John Healey told the BBC that "no-one will mourn" the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of US and Israeli air strikes on Iran.

Healey said some British military personnel at a base in Bahrain had been "within several hundred yards" of a retaliatory missile and drone strike on Saturday, while two missiles had been fired in the direction of Cyprus.

He also said the government was reviewing the terror threat level in the UK as it assessed concerns about Iranian retaliation.

The UK did not participate in the US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

Healey told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: "My first job as defence secretary is to protect those British people - civilians and military - our British bases, reinforce regional security and do all we can to prevent further regional escalation."

He added: "I know people at home will be worried that not just military targets were hit yesterday but we've also seen hotels in Dubai and Bahrain, Kuwait's civilian airport.

"But in that Bahrain military base that was hit by missiles and drones yesterday, we had 300 British personnel, some within several hundred yards of the strike."

Healey said two ballistic missiles were "fired in the direction of Cyprus", adding: "Now, we're pretty sure they weren't targeted at Cyprus.

"But nevertheless it demonstrates how our bases, our personnel - military and civilians - at the moment are at risk with a regime that is increasingly indiscriminate, widespread and uncontrolled in the attacks it is mounting."

Healey noted the UK had "reinforced" its defences in the region several weeks ago, including putting in place more radars, planes and weapons systems.

He added: "We're flying British planes in the air throughout yesterday and overnight.

"That's defending our regional allies, it's reinforcing that sense of security and it's trying to protect, first and foremost, our British bases and our British personnel."