Jeremy Corbyn, the Independent Member of Parliament for Islington North and former Leader of the Labour Party, has publicly opposed any British involvement in the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Corbyn, who led the Labour Party from 2015 to 2020 and has long been associated with anti-war and pro-diplomacy positions, criticised the UK government's decision to allow British military bases to be used in connection with US operations linked to the conflict.
In a statement, Corbyn described the move as "a catastrophic and historic mistake," arguing that permitting British bases to be used in what he called an illegal war of aggression makes the United Kingdom complicit in the consequences of the conflict.
"Allowing British bases to be used in an illegal war of aggression is a catastrophic and historic mistake," Corbyn said.
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"Britain has been dragged into another war because our Prime Minister would rather appease Donald Trump than stand up for international law."
The UK government has stated that while Britain is not directly participating in offensive operations, it has authorised the use of certain British bases in support of allied actions.
The decision has triggered political debate in Parliament and beyond over the scope and legality of the UK's involvement.
The conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran follows heightened tensions in the Middle East. The United States and Israel launched unprovoked attacks on Iran on Saturday, killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and over 150 schoolgirls in an elementary school.
Iran has responded with retaliatory measures, raising fears of wider regional escalation.
Corbyn warned that military escalation would have severe humanitarian and security consequences, drawing parallels with the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, which he opposed at the time.
"In 2003, we warned against the catastrophic consequences of US-led regime change in Iraq. We were ignored -- and hundreds of thousands of people lost their lives," he said. "Political leaders should learn the lessons of history, and stand up for international law, sovereignty and peace."
Corbyn further described the conflict as one ignited by "two rogue nuclear powers" and argued that diplomatic avenues had been available.
"War is not a game," he said. "This shameful decision makes Britain complicit in the devastating consequences ahead -- and jeopardises the safety of us all. Peace and diplomacy was possible."
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The UK government has not characterised the situation as a formal declaration of war, but opposition figures and some backbench MPs continue to question the extent of British cooperation and call for greater parliamentary scrutiny.
The situation remains fluid, with international actors urging restraint amid concerns that further escalation could destabilise the wider Middle East.
