The UK's terror threat level is "absolutely" under review following major military strikes on Iran, according to the The Defence Secretary. John Healey confirmed ministers are reassessing the national security position after US and Israeli attacks on Iranian targets on Saturday triggered retaliation across the Middle East.

The strikes were part of an operation reportedly codenamed “Epic Wrath”, a coordinated US-Israeli military action targeting sites inside Iran. Tehran has launched counter-attacks on Israel, US military installations in the Gulf and locations across Gulf Arab states, including the Saudi capital Riyadh and the major business hub of Dubai. The escalating conflict has sparked concern the Iranian regime - or groups acting on its behalf - could seek revenge beyond the region. Asked on Sky's 'Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips' whether the UK threat level was now under discussion, Mr Healey replied: "Absolutely." He warned Iran was reacting aggressively across the Middle East.

"When you get a regime like this lashing out in the Middle East indiscriminately and widely," he said, "hitting civilian as well as military targets, when you have some of its proxies capable of other actions on their behalf, then of course, our force protection in the region is at its highest.

"Our alert and our vigilance in the UK is also high."

Mr Healey said any formal change to the terror threat level would be announced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, adding: "I’ve got full confidence in our intelligence agencies and our ability to deal with the terrorist threats."

The UK’s current terrorism threat level currently stands at "substantial", meaning an attack is considered likely.

On the five-point scale, only "severe" and "critical" are higher. The level has remained at substantial since February 2022, when it was lowered from severe following the Liverpool Women’s Hospital suicide bombing.

Mr Healey ALSO said UK forces had been operating alongside the United States: "We’ve stepped up alongside the Americans. We’ve stepped up our defensive forces in the Middle East… taking down the drones that are menacing either our bases, our people, or our allies.”

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Mr Healey also told Trevor Phillips two missiles were launched from Iran towards Cyprus, where the UK operates an RAF base.

He and the island’s president said they do not believe RAF Akrotiri was the intended target, however,.

Two large US aircraft carrier strike groups are currently positioned off the Cypriot coast and are thought to have been the likely target instead.

The Defence Secretary also said UK forces have shot down Iranian drones, while missiles struck a base in Bahrain housing around 300 British personnel.

Suspected hostile Iranian activity is also believed to have taken place on UK soil.

Security services are continuing to assess the risk to Britain as the conflict unfolds.