Andy Burnham faces his first international test after the mullahs of Tehran threatened to strike British airbases.
The newly minted Prime Minister has said little about his non-domestic policies, focusing instead on a series of commitments intended to appeal to voters at home.
However he has continued the policy announced by Sir Keir Starmer, his predecessor, which allowed US President Donald J Trump to use RAF bases to strike Iran.
Responding, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) threatened to retaliate with strikes on RAF Fairford, and made threats against the wider UK.
In a statement the IRGC said that “any base used for aggression against Iranian territory is a legitimate target for us”.
They added that the United States was “resorting to using B-1 aircraft flying from Fairford airbase in England” because it had run out of missiles.
The Corps, which is used to protect the Iranian regime at home and abroad, also accused the UK of causing the “misfortunes of the people of our region” by “dismantling Islamic countries […] imposing despotic governments” and “worst of all” creating the “disaster of Israel“.
But the British Government responded saying that the armed forces were “ready 24/7 to defend” the country from “any kind of attacks, whether it’s on our soil or from abroad”.
A spokesman added: “This includes through operating a layered approach to air and missile defence, provided by Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force assets equipped with a range of advanced capabilities, working closely with our Nato allies.
“The UK’s approach to the conflict remains the same – we are committed to defending our people, our interests and our allies, acting in accordance with international law and not getting drawn into the wider conflict.”
RAF Fairford, in Gloucestershire, has been thrust into the international spotlight after flight-tracking websites appeared to show a B1 Bomber flying from the site.
Such aircraft are capable of carrying two massive 2,000Ib bombs on board, and have been tracked flying toward the war-torn middle eastern country.
President Trump has reignited his attacks on the country with some 13 back to back nights of strikes and the US military reportedly moving to escalate.
On Thursday afternoon, he said he was considering a “massive attack” that was “bigger than ever before”.