Von Kampfjets bis zu Spionageflugzeugen – wie Großbritannien Trump helfen könnte, wenn die USA den Iran angreifen

Britain could provide fighter jets, refuelling tankers and spy planes if the US launched [military action in Iran](https://inews.co.uk/news/us-forces-operation-seize-russian-tanker-4154191?ico=in-line_link), but any UK forces deployed would likely be “a token effort”, a former RAF commander believes.

Greg Bagwell, an ex-RAF Air Marshal, said the airbase at Diego Garcia, which the UK retains operational control of, could potentially be used as a hub for US planes for any strikes on the Islamic Republic.

But last year’s raid on Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities by B-2 stealth bombers showed US jets can fly to Iran on a round-trip, with the White House potentially preferring to go it alone, he added.

“The UK would have to consider its position in terms of protecting itself and its interests, let alone whether it would choose to take part. And we shouldn’t forget that we still have a joint Qatari-UK Typhoon squadron,” he told *The i Paper.*

“My gut feeling is that the US don’t need the UK. The amount of assets that we would provide would be a token effort. It wouldn’t be super critical.

“But we do provide some capabilities that are highly prized. We have tankers that are better equipped to tank US Navy aeroplanes because of the system we use.

“Some of our Istar (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) platforms are some of the best in the world, and match the American capabilities.

“And we have responsibilities for some of the countries around the Middle East that could perhaps come under attack post a strike, and therefore, in more of a defensive role.”

The RAF has three Rivet Joint surveillance jets, with Istar assets deployed to the Middle East and flown in airspace near Iran, particularly from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.

Any US action could see surgical strikes against key targets that are critical to the regime’s survival, said Bagwell, who flew missions in Iraq and Kosovo and oversaw combat operations in Afghanistan, Libya and Syria.

During last year’s conflict with Israel, Tehran warned it would take retaliatory action against the US, UK and France military bases and ships if they helped block Iranian missile and drone strikes against Israel.

British military bases across the Arabian Gulf and Cyprus are within range of Iranian strikes from ballistic and cruise missiles.

RAF Typhoons are actively deployed and operate from bases in the region, primarily from Akrotiri for Operation Shader, the international coalition against Isis.

The one and only true ally is Israel. The uk has too many baggage’s