Is Iran an ally of the UK?

In recent years, relations between Iran and the United Kingdom have been marked by hostility as the United Kingdom sanctioned Iran while Iran detained British citizens and conducted influence campaigns within the United Kingdom.

Who is Iran's largest ally?

Iran has close ties with Lebanon and considers it an ally. Iran also has close ties with the Lebanese political party Hezbollah and its militia force to whom it reportedly provides as much as $100 million in supplies and weaponry per year. Iran has been a staunch supporter of both Lebanon and Hezbollah against Israel.

Does the UK support Iran or Iraq?

Although officially neutral in the conflict, the United Kingdom made direct sales to both Iraq and Iran. With an embargo in effect various companies also supplied Iraq and Iran by shipping materials through third-party countries and from those countries to the belligerents.

Who are the UK allies?

However Britain did forge close military ties with the United States, France, and Germany, through the NATO military alliance. After years of debate (and rebuffs), Britain joined the Common Market in 1973; which became the European Union in 1993.

Does Russia support Iran?

Due to international economic sanctions on Iran, Russia has become a key trading partner, especially in regard to the former's excess oil reserves. Currently Russia and Iran share a close economic and military alliance, and both countries are subject to heavy sanctions by most Western nations.

British diplomat exposes Iran hysteria and Israel lobby

Who is supporting Iran in the war?

The Iran–Israel proxy war, also known as the Iran–Israel Cold War, is an ongoing proxy war between Iran and Israel. In the Israeli–Lebanese conflict, Iran has supported Lebanese Shia militias, most notably Hezbollah. In the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Iran has backed Palestinian groups such as Hamas.

Does Iran have nuclear weapons?

Iran does not have nuclear weapons. We can't afford to repeat the Iraq War lie. This opinion piece by Emeritus Professor Amin Saikal, from The University of Western Australia's School of Social Sciences, was originally published in The Age on 19 June 2025.

Who is Britain's longest ally?

In 1373 the Kingdom of England signed the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance, the oldest alliance in the world still in force. The alliance was formalised by the Treaty of Windsor in 1386, and in 1387 Philippa of Lancaster, the daughter of John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, was married to John I of Portugal.

Who does the UK support, Israel or Iran?

During the Gaza war, the United Kingdom government has supported Israel diplomatically, has shared Gaza surveillance information with Israel and has allowed arms sales to Israel's military.

Which countries pose the biggest threat to the UK?

Threats emanating from Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia currently pose the greatest risk to the UK and UK interests.

Do the UK and Iran get along?

FCDO advises against all travel to Iran

British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention. Having a British passport or connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you. Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

What has Iran said about Israel?

Iran's current government does not recognize Israel's legitimacy as a state and has called for its destruction; it views Palestine as the sole legitimate government of the historic Palestinian territories.

Does the British rule Iran?

Although Iran was never a colony, it nonetheless bore the weight of British imperialism. Through capital, corruption, and coercion, the AIOC and the diplomatic service ensured that Iran was subsumed into the 'informal empire' and its oil industry operated for Britain's benefit.

Who is the best friend of Israel?

Israel's close friendship with the United States has been a linchpin of its foreign policy since the establishment of the state. Until the Iranian Revolution and the fall of the Pahlavi dynasty in 1979, Israel and Iran maintained close ties.

Does Iran have a big army?

Iranian Armed Forces are the largest in the Middle East in terms of active troops. Iran's military forces are made up of approximately 610,000 active-duty personnel plus 350,000 reserve and trained personnel that can be mobilized when needed, bringing the country's military manpower to about 960,000 total personnel.

Are Pakistan and Iran allies?

Both countries remain close allies and formed alliances in a number of areas of mutual interest, such as combating the drug trade along their border and the insurgency in Balochistan. Pakistan is one of the few countries where Iranian influence is positively received as per polls conducted by the Pew Research Center.

Does Australia have nuclear weapons?

Does Australia Have or Want Nuclear Weapons? Australia does not possess any nuclear weapons and is committed to the goal of a world without nuclear weapons. Australia's core obligations as a non-nuclear-weapon state are set out in the NPT.

Is Iran a powerful country?

Iran is a middle power, due to its large reserves of fossil fuels (including the world's second largest natural gas supply and third largest proven oil reserves), its geopolitically significant location, and its role as the world's focal point of Shia Islam.

Who funded Iran's nuclear weapons?

Iran's nuclear program began in the 1950s under the Pahlavi dynasty with United States support. It expanded in the 1970s with plans for power reactors, paused after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, and resumed secretly during the 1980s Iran–Iraq War.

Who is stronger, Israel or Iran?

Iran and Israel both have formidable military might. Iran has a general advantage in numbers, with some 600,000 active personnel (and 350,000 reservists) compared to Israel's 170,000 (and 450,000 reservists).

Did Britain go to war with Iran?

The Iranian influence on Central Asia had caused the creation of Greater Iran; although they knew of the influence, the British had never attacked Iran.

Who is friendly with Iran?

Iran maintains regular diplomatic and commercial relations with Russia and the former Soviet Republics. Both Iran and Russia believe they have important national interests at stake in developments in Central Asia and the Transcaucasus, particularly concerning energy resources from the Caspian Sea.

Is the UK in imminent danger?

National threat level

The threat to the UK (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) from terrorism is substantial.

Which country has never been attacked by the British?

Just 22 countries have not been invaded by Britain, highlighted in purple on this map: Andora, Belarus, Bolivia, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Guatemala, Ivory Coast, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Mali, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Mongolia, Paraguay, Sao Tome and Principe, Sweden, Tajikistan, ...

Who would be called up for war in the UK?

This act imposed a liability to conscription to all men aged 18 to 41 years who were living in Great Britain. Men could be rejected for medical reasons, and those engaged in vital industries or occupations were "reserved" at a particular age beyond which no one in that job would be enlisted.