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  "path": "/politics/keir-starmer-british-troops-iran-defence-committee-tan-dhesi",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-04T06:00:03.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "though on Monday confirmed British forces would help with \"defensive action in the region\"",
    "shooting down drones attacking key British ally Jordan",
    "Reform UK donor reveals: 'I feel safer in Dubai than in Sadiq Khan's London' - despite war with Iran",
    "'What a stupid thing to say!' Michelle Dewberry accuses ex-Labour MP of 'Trump Derangement Syndrome'",
    "Furious Cyprus opens door to Chagos-style negotiations over RAF Akrotiri after drone strike",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nSir Keir Starmer must seek Parliament's mandate before sending British troops to Iran, the chairman of the Defence Select Committee has warned.\n\nTan Dhesi, speaking to GB News' Political Editor on Chopper's Political Podcast, issued the warning after the PM ruled out joining the US and Israeli attacks on Iran.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe PM has resisted calls to formally join the war - though on Monday confirmed British forces would help with \"defensive action in the region\".\n\nMr Dhesi explained to GB News that the PM would not require MPs' approval to undertake defensive actions, like shooting down drones attacking key British ally Jordan.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\nHowever, he said any offensive operation would mean it would be ministers' \"duty to come and explain themselves in Parliament\".\n\nA parliamentary mandate is \"important... not just for our democracy, but also for cohesion,\" Mr Dhesi added.\n\nThe PM refused MPs the opportunity to vote on defensive measures, saying there was \"no way\" he could have waited for a decision from the Commons over the weekend - because decisions must be made as \"a matter of some urgency\".\n\nThen on Tuesday, Sir Keir confirmed HMS Dragon would be sent to defend Cyprus and the two RAF bases there.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe Type 45 destroyer is the only vessel in the British arsenal with the ability to shoot down ballistic missiles.\n\nHowever, GB News understands the ship's transit to Cyprus could be delayed - while NavyLookout revealed it may not depart Portsmouth until early next week.\n\nMr Dhesi backed sending HMS Dragon to the eastern Mediterranean without a vote, but was then probed on whether any British boots on the ground would require the same lack of approval.\n\n\"If ever there was an operation... or we're being sucked into a war where we're sending British servicemen and women out there on the ground to engage in a conflict, I think it's imperative that the Government of the day gets that parliamentary mandate,\" he said.\n\n### LATEST ON IRAN:\n\n\n\n\n  * Reform UK donor reveals: 'I feel safer in Dubai than in Sadiq Khan's London' - despite war with Iran\n  * 'What a stupid thing to say!' Michelle Dewberry accuses ex-Labour MP of 'Trump Derangement Syndrome'\n  * Furious Cyprus opens door to Chagos-style negotiations over RAF Akrotiri after drone strike\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAny more delays to British involvement in the Middle East would risk the wrath of Donald Trump, who vented yesterday at how Sir Keir was \"no Winston Churchill\".\n\nBecause of the Chagos \"surrender\" deal, it took three or four days for the US to \"work out\" where it could land its aircraft, Mr Trump said.\n\n\"It would have been much more convenient landing there as opposed to flying many extra hours.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\"So we are very surprised. This is not Winston Churchill that we're dealing with,\" he said.\n\nThe UK has so far allowed American planes to use its bases to bomb launch vehicles for drones and missiles \"at source\" in Iran.\n\nMr Dhesi said that was being done \"in self-defence, which is compliant with international law\".\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter **",
  "title": "Keir Starmer 'must have a mandate before sending British troops to Iran,' Defence Committee chief tells GB News"
}