Attorney general ‘concerned’ over potential UK involvement in Israel-Iran conflict

The UK government's most senior legal officer has reportedly raised the alarm over potential UK involvement in Israel's war on Iran as both nations trade fire on their eighth day.

Attorney General Lord Richard Hermer has stated that the UK's role in the war should be limited to defending its allies.

An official who has seen the legal advice from Lord Hermer told The Spectator: "The AG has concerns about the UK playing any role in this except for defending our allies."

At the same time, another source suggested to Sky News that the attorney general's advice complicates the UK's potential involvement in the war, stating that it limits UK involvement "unless our personnel are targeted".

Hermer's spokesperson told The New Arab: "By longstanding convention, reflected in the Ministerial code, whether the Law Officers have been asked to provide legal advice and the content of any advice is not routinely disclosed. 

"The convention provides the fullest guarantee that government business will be conducted at all times in light of thorough and candid legal advice."

While the government does not have to hold a vote on British military action - there was no vote for the UK to strike Yemen in April for example - it could come under legal pressure should the UK get involved.

When asked about the legal advice, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, "the Attorney's advice is never disclosed by any government" but that "the principle, the driving intent is de-escalation", adding "we need to de-escalate", adding that the "risk of escalation in the region is obvious".

Hermer is not the only one to raise questions. Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said the government should publish Hermer's advice, saying that "the last thing we need is for the UK to be dragged into another illegal war in the Middle East by the US."

On the other hand, Conservative Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel, took a pro-war position, describing Iran as a "threat to our safety and security, just as much as Israel's" and argued that the UK cannot "hide behind legal advice at a time of crisis".

If the attorney general finds Israel's war on Iran to be unlawful, then the UK will be restricted in its involvement.

The United Nations' founding charter outlines three justifications for military action: self-defence, to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe or authorisation by the Security Council acting under Chapter VII of the charter.

While Israel and the US may use self-defence as justification, military action can legal only be used if there is an actual or imminent threat of an armed attack and can only be done to avert an attack with a proportionate response.

A spokesperson for Downing Street said the UK's position is still that they "want to de-escalate the situation" and are "working with partners to reiterate the need to return to diplomacy".

Should Britain get involved militarily against Iran, it would likely offer air and maritime logistical support to shoot down drones targeting Israel or fire submarine-launched missiles at Iran itself.

Starmer recently chaired an emergency Cobra meeting to discuss the UK's response to Israel's war on Iran, which could escalate should the US get involved.

Lord Hermer's legal advice could limit the amount of support the UK would provide, and any refusal from the UK could complicate US military action and diplomacy.

When asked about the potential for the UK joining the US, Starmer said: "The nuclear issue needs to be dealt with, but it is better dealt with by way of negotiation than by way of conflict".

The UK has reportedly made efforts to persuade the Trump administration to refrain from joining Israel and is considering whether to provide support should the US decide to target Iran.

Support could include approving the use of the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean to fly in US B-2 bombers to destroy an Iranian nuclear facility built deep into the side of a mountain at Fordow. The US military could request the use of the UK's base in Cyprus for refuelling planes.

US President Trump has indicated he is currently weighing up his options for getting involved in the war, saying he will decide whether to join Israel's strikes within the next two weeks, as there is still a chance of negotiations to end the war.

Reports suggest the president has approved plans for an attack but is still holding off to see whether Iran would agree to abandoning its nuclear program.