UK PM Keir Starmer addresses claims Iran has missiles that could ‘reach London’

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer has responded to Israel's claims that Iran currently has access to missiles that could 'reach London'.

Over the weekend, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) claimed in a social media post that the Middle Eastern nation has missiles that threaten several European cities.

The IDF, which is leading Israel's attacks on Iran, wrote on X on Saturday (21 March): "The Iranian terrorist regime launched a long-range missile for the first time since the start of Operation Roaring Lion that could reach a distance of ~4,000 km.

"During Operation Rising Lion in June 2025, the IDF revealed that the Iranian regime has intentions to develop missiles with a range of 4,000 km, which pose a danger to dozens of countries in Europe, Asia and Africa. The Iranian regime denied this."

The IDF statement continued: "We have been saying it: The Iranian terrorist regime poses a global threat. Now, with missiles that can reach London, Paris or Berlin.

"The Iranian terror regime has carried out attacks against 12 countries in the region and is developing a capability that poses a much broader threat."

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has responded to claims made by the Israel Defence Forces that Iran has missiles that threaten several European cities (Alberto Pezzali - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Labour PM Starmer has since responded to the IDF's claims, saying that there is 'no assessment' that the UK is being targeted by Iranian missiles.

"We carry out assessments all the time in order to keep us safe, and there’s no assessment that we’re being targeted in that way at all," he told broadcasters on Monday morning (23 March).

"But of course, it’s my job to ensure that British interests, British lives are always uppermost in my mind."

He continued: "What we need here is de-escalation, and that’s why we had a statement from a number of countries last week about what we need to do about the Strait of Hormuz, which obviously needs careful coordination and a viable plan.

"But it’s very important we defend our interests, we defend British lives, but without getting dragged into the war, and that’s the clear divide I’ve put in place."

The IDF claimed over the weekend that Iran had missiles that could 'reach London' (X/@IDF)

Earlier today (23 March), US President Donald Trump announced his decision to 'postpone' strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure following talks with Tehran.

He had previously threatened to 'obliterate' Iran’s power plants if the country didn't reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean, by just before midnight on Monday night.

In a Truth Social post, the Republican declared he would delay the strikes by five days following 'very good and productive conversations' with Tehran over the past two days, adding that the postponement of strikes was 'subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions'.

Downing Street has since responded to the announcement, saying that reports of productive talks were 'welcome'.

"We have always said that a swift resolution to the war is in global interests and the Strait of Hormuz specifically needs to be reopened," Starmer’s official spokesman said.

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