Iranian Drone Attack on UK Base: Putin’s Role and Political Fallout

Iranian missiles and drones attacked a British base in Iraq, with UK officials blaming Russia’s influence. The UK government faces criticism over its response and political controversy surrounds Lord Mandelson’s ambassadorial appointment. The Princess of Wales visits breweries amid health updates.

Iranian Attack on British Base in Iraq

"Brit base blitzed by Iran" is the headline in the Sun, accompanied by a photo showing smoke rising from the scene in Erbil, Iraq. The Times reports that "a swarm" of 20 missiles and kamikaze drones targeted the base. Specialist British soldiers reportedly used surface-to-air missiles to destroy two Iranian drones, while others were intercepted by American forces.

"Brit base blitzed by Iran" says the Sun, reporting "US troops suffered casualties but no Brits were hurt". The paper adds: "Commanders insisted Putin was 'definitely' helping Iran."

Defence Secretary John Healey is quoted in several papers, including , attributing some of the Iranian tactics to the "hidden hand" of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"UK points to Kremlin following attack on base" says the Times, which also leads with Healey's "hidden hand of Putin" quote. In a separate story on the front page, the paper splashes: "3D printers could provide personalised hospital food." It writes edible inks – a science in its early stages – could be used "to build foods layer by layer, creating customised shapes, textures and nutritional profiles".

The Independent writes, "Iran targets our troops," describing British forces coming under drone attack at an Iraq airbase. The attacks in Baghdad and Erbil coincide with the Defence Secretary considering options to intervene and defend the oil shipping lane, as efforts to block the Strait of Hormuz have "severely disrupted the supply line of crude oil."

"Iran targets our troops" writes the Independent as "British forces come under drone attack at Iraq airbase". The attacks in Baghdad and Erbil come as the "defence secretary considers option to step in and defend oil shipping lane", with efforts to block the Strait of Hormuz having "severely disrupted the supply line of crude oil".

The Daily Mirror’s headline "Under fire" leads with the Iranian drone attacks on British troops. It also notes that despite US President Donald Trump’s claim that the war was over, a new report warns the conflict may continue for weeks.

"Under fire" is the Daily Mirror's headline, leading with the Iranian drone attacks on British troops. Its front page also says: "Despite US President Donald Trump claiming the war was over, a fresh report warns it may drag on for weeks."

The Daily Telegraph’s leader column states, "Attacks on Britain demand a response." The paper criticizes the government’s reaction to the Erbil attack as a "complacent shrug of the shoulders," insisting that "our enemies need to know that they will pay an overwhelming price for any attack on Britain's people, territory or interests."

The Daily Telegraph's main story reads "Russia behind attack on UK troops". Its front page also shows the Prince and Princess of Wales competing "to see who can pull the best pint during a visit to the Southwark Brewing Company in Bermondsey, London". The royal couple "have shown their support for the British beer industry" during their "tour de force" across London, the paper says.

Russia’s Gains from Middle East Conflict

The Financial Times reports that Russia is "the biggest winner from the war in the Middle East," earning up to $150 million (£112.3 million) daily in additional revenue from oil sales. The paper explains that the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has increased demand for Russian crude from India and China.

"Oil windfall gives Russia $150mn [£112.3mn] a day," says the Financial Times, writing the extra revenue from oil sales makes Moscow the "biggest winner from the conflict in the Middle East".

The i Paper describes the Middle East conflict as "the oil war," highlighting that the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, "vows to make the world pay for Trump's bombs by blockading shipping." It adds that the UK military is planning to protect ships in the Strait of Hormuz "with major allies," with sources indicating that Royal Marines may be deployed at short notice.

The i Paper calls the Middle East conflict "the oil war", as the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, "vows to make the world pay for Trump's bombs by blockading shipping". The UK military "is planning to protect ships in the Strait of Hormuz 'with major allies'", with sources telling the paper "Royal Marines have been told they may be deployed at short notice".

Political Controversy Over Lord Mandelson’s Appointment

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch accuses Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of having "told lie after lie after lie," according to the Daily Mail. She criticizes his decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as the UK's ambassador in Washington. The paper notes that amid growing claims of a cover-up, Badenoch has demanded a sleaze inquiry to determine whether Sir Keir misled MPs about the appointment.

The Daily Mail leads with Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch's latest comments on government files released this week into Lord Mandelson's appointment as UK ambassador to the US. The former Labour minister was sacked in September after Downing Street said new information about the depth of his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein had emerged. Badenoch says Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer "told lie after lie after lie", the paper writes in its headline. "The Tory leader demanded a sleaze inquiry into whether Sir Keir misled MPs over the disastrous decision to appoint Mandelson", according to the paper. Sir Keir says he "made a mistake" in choosing Lord Mandelson as US ambassador, but has previously said he did not know the extent and depth of the peer's relationship with Epstein.

The Times reports that Lord Mandelson was sacked in September after Downing Street revealed new information about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Sir Keir has admitted he "made a mistake" in choosing Mandelson but previously denied knowing the extent of the peer’s relationship with Epstein.

The Daily Express also leads with Badenoch’s comments, stating she believes there are gaps in the Mandelson files and that it "stinks of a cover-up" by Keir Starmer. Downing Street denies any claims of a cover-up regarding the release of documents related to Mandelson’s appointment.

The Daily Express also leads with Badenoch's comments, writing she "says there are gaps in the Mandelson files and it 'stinks of a cover-up' by Keir Starmer". Downing Street denies claims of a "cover-up" in the release of documents relating to Lord Mandelson's appointment.

Royal Visit to South London Breweries

The Times reports that the Princess of Wales left beer tasting to her husband during visits to craft breweries in south London yesterday. The Princess said she had cut back on alcohol since her cancer diagnosis. Despite this, the Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail, and Daily Mirror have dubbed her the "princess of ales." The Daily Express uses the headline "Kate hops to it," alongside a picture of her stirring a brewing kettle.

Additional Headlines

The Metro’s headline "Fakes and ladders" details tradesman Joffrey Bogemans’ experience when a ladder he bought on Amazon snapped in half, causing severe injuries that forced him to close his business. The paper warns that dozens of potentially dangerous ladders are still being sold online.