British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud discussed the possibilities of strengthening cooperation in the exchange of intelligence information between the two countries amid the US and Israeli strikes against Iran, BTA reported.
Great Britain is "ready to support the defense" of Saudi Arabia, the British Prime Minister assured, Reuters and Agence France-Presse reported. quoted by BTA.
"Additional British fighter jets, helicopters and a destroyer are being sent to the region, and the UK stands ready to support the defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia if necessary", Starmer said, according to a British government spokeswoman.
The oil monarchy has been the target of several strikes since the start of the conflict in the Middle East, which began with US and Israeli strikes against Iran, which has been retaliating, particularly in the Persian Gulf.
Yesterday, the Saudi Ministry of Defense announced that it had destroyed three drones east of the capital and three missiles that were heading towards the Prince Sultan air base, where US military personnel are stationed near Riyadh.
During their meeting, he and Bin Salman also discussed "strengthening their intelligence cooperation" within the framework of its defensive operations, the spokeswoman said. The Saudi crown prince also highlighted "the measures taken by the Kingdom to increase global oil supplies and ensure market stability".
The UK, whose military base in Cyprus was hit by an Iranian drone at the start of the conflict, announced on Thursday that it would deploy additional fighter jets and other military assets, in particular to strengthen its air defenses.
British forces are already involved in defending the region and have shot down drones flying over Jordan and Iraq in recent days.
Only a fifth of Britons would support the UK joining the US and Israeli military operation against Iran, according to a survey conducted by the BMG Research polling company.