Steven Doughty, Britain’s minister for Middle East affairs, in a warning about threats by the Islamic Republic to civilian infrastructure and shipping in the Persian Gulf, emphasized that Britain will not stand idly by in the face of attacks on civilians, infrastructure, and threats to commercial shipping.

Doughty said: “In defense of the people, national sovereignty, and the security of its regional partners, we stand with them. We will not stand idly by in the face of attacks on civilians and infrastructure, or threats to commercial shipping.”

Referring to the threats posed by the Islamic Republic and its proxy forces, he added: “We have a clear and shared position on the very serious threats from Iran and its proxy forces. For a long time, we have held firmly to the view that Iran should not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.”

The British minister for Middle East affairs also emphasized that the Islamic Republic should not target partners, friends, commercial interests, and civilians.

Doughty said the Islamic Republic’s threats against civilian infrastructure and seafarers in the Persian Gulf have put at risk Britain’s national sovereignty and the security of its regional partners, as well as the rule-based order.