Our partners in the Gulf have asked us to do more to defend them. We have British aircraft in the air as part of coordinated defensive operations that have already successfully intercepted Iranian attacks, stated Starmer. However, the only way to stop the threat is to destroy the missiles at their source, 'in their storage depots or on the launchers used to fire them,' he asserted. The United Kingdom did not participate in the initial attacks on Iran and will not now join offensive actions, he clarified. Germany's Stance. Germany's Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, clarified on Monday that his country has no intention of participating in military operations against Iran. In an interview with German radio Deutschlandfunk, Wadephul expressed his concern about the escalation in the Middle East. Wadephul emphasized that the interpretation of the joint statement by Germany, France, and the UK varies by country. 'For us, it simply means that our Bundeswehr soldiers would defend themselves if attacked,' he added. He noted that while the UK decided to provide bases for the use of the United States, Germany does not have the necessary military resources in the region nor the intention to join such actions. France's Position. France's Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, declared on Monday that his country is willing to participate in the defense of Gulf countries and Jordan based on binding agreements. At a press conference, Barrot stated that military action against Iran should have been debated at the United Nations Security Council before the unilateral actions of Israel and the United States. He also called for an end to the conflict, warning that the indefinite continuation of military operations without a clear objective 'carries the risk of a spiral that could drag Iran and the region into a prolonged period of instability'. These statements came after Germany, France, and the UK stated in a joint communiqué published on Sunday that they are willing to take 'the necessary and proportionate defensive measures' against Iran, including measures aimed at destroying its ability to launch missiles and drones at their source. China Intervened. Meanwhile, China hopes that France will work with China to promote the reduction of tensions in the Middle East and jointly defend the basic norms of international relations, stated Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday. Buenos Aires, March 2 (NA)—Germany, France, and the United Kingdom informed on Monday that they are willing to take 'necessary and proportionate defensive actions' against Iran. 'We will take measures to defend our interests and those of our allies in the region,' stated a joint communiqué, which added that this will be done 'potentially by enabling necessary and proportionate defensive actions to destroy Iran's ability to launch missiles and drones at their source.' 'We have agreed to work together with the United States and allies in the region on this matter,' added, according to the Argentine News Agency. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that the UK accepted the US request to use British bases 'for that specific and limited defensive purpose'. Wang made these statements in a telephone conversation with his French counterpart, Jean-Noël Barrot.
