Iran LIVE: Yvette Cooper confirms Iranian kamikaze drone hit RAF Akrotiri as families and non-essential staff evacuated
The RAF base Akrotiri in Cyprus has been hit by an Iranian kamikaze drone, as Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the strike hit the airport's runway and "all of the precautionary measures are being taken around the base".
There were no casualties in the incident at the base near Limassol, Cyprus, however, the base is moving families and temporarily relocating non-essential staff.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) described it as a "precautionary measure", with families being relocated to alternative accommodation on the island.
Overnight, multiple British warplanes were scrambled after the British sovereign base was hit by the drone.
Both the scramble and the drone attack came after Britain agreed to a US request to use its military bases to strike Iranian missile sites.
The UK government has not yet confirmed where the drone originated from.FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT...
US allowed to use bases to attack missile sites for 'defence' reasons
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has said the Government is allowing the US to use bases to attack missile sites for “defence” reasons.
She told Sky News: “This is about the defence of our partners in the Gulf and defence of countries where we have so many British citizens and interests in those those countries.
“We continue to believe that we want to seek negotiated solution, a diplomatic process.
“That’s always been our view and it’s one of the reasons why we made a deliberate decision not to be involved or provide support for the US strikes that took place over the weekend.
“It’s a specific, limited agreement about the defence of Gulf countries, and many of those Gulf countries were not involved in any of the strikes on Iran.
“And so, for example, it doesn’t mean political and economic and infrastructure targets, but there is a significant issue about ballistic missiles and launchers that are effectively pointed at the Gulf, pointed at our partner countries and countries where we have so many British citizens.
“So to not provide support that the US have specifically asked for, for that defensive operation, I think would not be the right thing to do just when we have so many British citizens there".
'Precautionary measures' following drone strike on RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said “precautionary measures” were being taken following the drone strike on RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
She told Sky News: “This is an unmanned drone strike, specifically on the airport runway and we’re not able to provide further information and detail at this point.
“But obviously all of the precautionary measures are being taken around the base.”
UK working on 'every possible option' to protect Britons trapped in the Gulf, says Foreign Secretary
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the UK was working on “every possible option” to protect Britons trapped in the Gulf, including a mass evacuation.
She told Sky News there were around 300,000 British citizens in Gulf countries targeted by Iran.
She said: “We are setting up the support systems because as well as the 94,000 people who have been in touch when we set up the ‘register your presence’ system, there’s an estimated 300,000 British citizens in Gulf countries that have now been targeted by Iran, including countries where now airspace is closed as a result of those attacks.
“That is, of course, extremely stressful for people who include holidaymakers and transit passengers at airports, people who have gone there for business trips, as well as those who live in the region as well.
“So we’re saying to people, the most important thing at the moment is to follow the local advice, which in most places is around sheltering in place, and we are sending out rapid deployment teams to the region to work with the travel industry, to work with local governments as well, to make sure that citizens can get support.
“Of course, we want people to get safely home as swiftly as possible".
Asked if evacuation plans were being drawn up she said: “We are working on every possible option".
White House insiders accused of ‘profiting from war and death' with bets on Iran attack
A US senator has accused White House staff of “profiting off war and death” following suspiciously timed bets predicting a US strike on Iran.
Chris Murphy, a US senator for Connecticut, raised concerns about bets on Polymarket, where a cryptocurrency analytics company Bubblemaps identified what it said were “six suspected insiders who made $1.2m (£892k) betting on a US strike on Iran”.
The company wrote on X: “Most of these wallets were funded in the last 24 hours, specifically bet for February 28, bought ‘Yes’ hours before the strike".
US bases and embassies in the firing line across Middle East as Iran seeks revenge
American bases and embassies across the Middle East are under growing fire this morning as Iran and its allies look to take revenge.
Smoke was seen rising from the vicinity of the US embassy in Kuwait - with firefighters and ambulances seen in the area.
A notice from the embassy urged Americans to take cover as a matter of urgency.
"There is a continuing threat of missile and UAV attacks over Kuwait. Do not come to the embassy," an alert reads. "Take cover in your residence on the lowest available floor and away from windows. Do not go outside."
Meanwhile, security sources have told Reuters that three armed drones have been shot down over Erbil Airport in Iraq - where American forces are stationed.
JUST IN: Oil prices skyrocket amid Iran crisis as tankers burn in Strait of Hormuz
Oil prices have skyrocketed amid the conflict in Iran, with tankers burning on the waves and the Strait of Hormuz brought to a near standstill.
The Iranian waterway, through which a fifth of all oil flows, was brought to a near-stop as Iran attacked several ships.
Brent crude oil shot up to $77 USD (£57.28), an increase of 10 per cent.
Meanwhile, investors fled to gold, an asset considered stable during times of crisis...
Israel readies up for new campaign against Hezbollah terrorists
Israel is preparing to open up a new front against terror group Hezbollah in Lebanon, the IDF's Chief of Staff has said.
Eyal Zamir confirmed just now: "We have launched an offensive campaign against Hezbollah - preparing for several days of conflict."
A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon had been in place since late 2024 after the IDF ripped through the Lebanese group's leadership - which was broken with overnight strikes in the early hours of this morning.
Chaos as American F-15 shot down in FRIENDLY FIRE incident over Kuwait
An American F-15 fighter jet has been shot down in a suspected incident of friendly fire over US ally Kuwait.
Video circulating on social media appears to show the jet spiralling to the ground from multiple angles.
In extraordinary further footage, the aircraft's pilots can be seen walking away from the crash site after ejecting mid-air.
US authorities have not yet commented on the crash.
RAF Akrotiri issues major update after 'Iranian drone strike'
The Sovereign Base Areas Administration, which oversees RAF Akrotiri and Dhekelia in Cyprus, has just confirmed a "temporary dispersal" of the base will soon be underway after Sunday night's drone strike.
In a statement, it said that as a precautionary measure, a "temporary dispersal" of non-essential personnel from Akrotiri is being planned.
"We understand in the wider British Bases community that people are concerned and that some residents have decided to leave Akrotiri village. Whilst we appreciate people may be worried, we do not believe this is necessary and temporary dispersal only applies to RAF Akrotiri Station."
Israel identifies new volley of missiles heading from Iran
Israel has identified a new volley of missiles heading its way from Iran, the IDF has said.
In a statement just now, the Israel Defence Forces said "a short while ago, missiles were launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel".
It added: "Defence systems are operating to intercept the threat. In the last few minutes, the Home Front Command has issued a preliminary directive directly to mobile phones in the relevant areas.
"The public is requested to exercise responsibility and act in accordance with the directives - they save lives."
'We will NOT negotiate with the United States' rages Iran's security chief
Iran's top security chief Ali Larijani has outright ruled out fresh talks with the US after the American-Israeli blitz on his country's military and leadership.
Mr Larijani said bluntly: "We will not negotiate with the United States" amid reports in the US that he had pushed for new nuclear talks.
The security heavyweight - now one of the highest-ranking in the country - accused Donald Trump of "plunging the region into chaos with his 'delusional fantasies'" and turning his "America First" slogan into "Israel First".
JUST IN: UK plans 'biggest mass evacuation in a generation' of Britons stranded in Middle East
Britain is planning what could be the largest mass evacuation in a generation of Britons who remain stranded in the Middle East as a result of the chaos in Iran.
At least 94,000 Britons in the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf nations have now registered their locations and contact details with the Foreign Office.
Sir Keir Starmer, meanwhile, has said there are around 200,000 Britons within the region, either on holiday or travelling...
Iranian state TV shows off underground vault of drones in chilling propaganda clip
Iran's Fars news agency has showed off footage of rows and rows of Shahed loitering drones stored underground in tunnels.
The Islamic Republic boasted of columns of the drones lying in wait below the ground, with some mounted on rocket launchers, underneath walls adorned Iranian flags and images of the dead Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Keir Starmer bringing in Ukrainian drone experts to help shoot unmanned vehicles out of the sky
Sir Keir Starmer confirmed last night he would bring in drone experts from Ukraine to help Britain get to grips with unmanned vehicle attacks.
Ukrainian forces have spent four years developing drones - and being attacked by Russian and Iranian ones - under Vladimir Putin's invasion.
Now, however, the flying weapons are targeting British soil for the first time.
Ahead of the drone impact at RAF Akrotiri, the PM said Britain "will bring experts from Ukraine, together with our own experts, to help Gulf partners shoot down Iranian drones attacking them".
Israel now orders massive evacuation of towns in Lebanon
Israel has ordered residents of at least 50 Lebanese towns to flee as far as one kilometre away.
The order comes after Hezbollah launched projectiles at Israel on Sunday evening, bringing Lebanon into this weekend's conflict for the first time.
The terror group said in a statement: "The resistance leadership has always emphasised that the continuation of Israeli attacks and the assassination of our leaders, youth, and people gives us the right to defend ourselves and respond at the appropriate time and place."
In response, Israel said its IDF would "operate against Hezbollah’s decision to join the campaign, and will not enable the organization to constitute a threat to the State of Israel".
MoD finally addresses RAF Akrotiri attack
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "Our Armed Forces are responding to a suspected drone strike at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus at midnight local time.
"Our force protection in the region is at the highest level and the base has responded to defend our people.
"This is a live situation and further information will be provided in due course."
Confusion as explosions rock Tel Aviv WITHOUT air raid sirens sounding
Confusion has broken out in the early hours of Monday morning in Israel as explosions were heard in Tel Aviv without any air raid sirens sounding.
The source of the explosions remains unclear - we'll bring you the latest on this as we get it.
Israel uses British-style laser weapon to down Hezbollah rockets - reports
Israel appears to have used a laser-based air defence system to intercept Hezbollah rockets.
In footage circulating online, there are no visible interceptor missiles striking the incoming rockets, like Israel's Iron Dome.
Instead, the projectiles are seen exploding mid-air, in what local reports have pinned on a focused laser beam targeting and neutralising them in flight.
Britain is developing a similar weapon, named DragonFire, in a bid to cheapen the cost of downing drones in the air.
Israel hits back at Hezbollah terrorists with strikes in Lebanon
The Israeli military has begun striking Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah across Lebanon.
Explosions were heard in the southern suburbs of Lebanon's capital, Beirut - a Hezbollah stronghold.
Israeli forces extraordinarily killed the group's leader Hassan Nasrallah, who led it for more than 30 years, in late 2024.
Donald Trump returns to White House after outlining plans for Iran
Donald Trump has returned to the White House just minutes ago after spending the weekend at his Mar-A-Lago base in Florida.
From his resort, Mr Trump oversaw American strikes on Iran - and the chaos which has followed - and on Sunday night outlined his plans for the Middle East.
In a video posted to his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump said three US service members had been killed and said there would likely be more casualties - and vowed to avenge the deaths of Americans.
"Combat operations continue at this time in full force, and they will continue until all of our objectives are achieved. We have very strong objectives," the President said.
Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth to address US lawmakers tomorrow
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and top American defence officials will brief Congress about the state of play in Iran on Tuesday, CBS News is reporting.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine and CIA Director John Ratcliffe will also brief lawmakers.
As Cyprus sits in the firing line... Hezbollah launches 'projectiles' at Israel
Hezbollah is said to have launched projectiles at Israel this evening, bringing Lebanon into this weekend's conflict for the first time.
The Israeli military said that projectiles launched from Lebanon resulted in sirens sounding in several areas in northern Israel.
Israel and Lebanon agreed to a US-brokered ceasefire in 2024, ending more than a year of fighting between Israel and Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah that had culminated in Israeli strikes that severely weakened the Iran-backed group.
Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy group, voiced its solidarity with Iran on Saturday but stopped short of saying whether it would get involved.
The Israeli military added in a follow-up statement that it intercepted a launch while other projectiles fell in open areas.
UPDATE: 'Iranian drone impacts airfield' at RAF Akrotiri as blast rocks British base
An Iranian drone has hit the airfield at RAF Akrotiri, the British sovereign base in Cyprus, sources have told GB News.
A "security threat" was declared at the base after an explosion was heard just before midnight, telling staff to "return to your homes and stay inside until further notice".
Unconfirmed reports believe the drone may have been a Shahed 136, a one-way attack drone which has been used regularly by the Russian military for strikes in the Ukraine war.
READ THE FULL BREAKING NEWS STORY HERE
Welcome back
Welcome back to GB News' live coverage of events in Iran after nearly 48 hours of strikes, high-profile killings and more.
Yesterday's live blog concluded with the news that Britain has agreed to a US request to use its military bases to strike Iranian missile sites.
The Prime Minister said the UK had accepted the request to prevent Iran from "killing innocent civilians, putting British lives at risk, and hitting countries that have not been involved".
READ THROUGH TODAY'S COVERAGE IN FULL HERE
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