Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 6, 2026
1 min readLast updated: April 1, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleBritain is bolstering regional air defence: PM Starmer offered Bahrain protection via four additional RAF Typhoon jets deployed to Qatar amid Iranian missile and drone attacks.
LONDON, March 6 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told the king of Bahrain that four jets the UK is deploying to Qatar could be used to help defend the kingdom from Iranian missile and drone strikes against Gulf states.
"The Prime Minister also offered further defensive air cover from these jets for Bahrain to bolster their security," Starmer told Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in a call late on Thursday, according to a readout from Starmer's office on Friday.
"His majesty welcomed the confirmation, and they agreed operational teams would work together on plans in the coming days."
(Reporting by Alistair Smout; editing by Sarah Young)
The UK is offering defensive jet support to Bahrain to help protect the kingdom from potential Iranian missile and drone strikes.
The UK is deploying four jets to Qatar, with additional defensive coverage offered to Bahrain.
King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain welcomed the UK's offer of extra defensive air cover against Iranian threats.
UK and Bahraini operational teams will collaborate on plans for defensive air cover in the coming days.
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