UK to provide Saudi Arabia with defensive air-to-air refuelling support

The UK has agreed to provide Saudi Arabia with defensive air-to-air refuelling support to help counter Houthi attacks and defend energy infrastructure. Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that the support, which will involve an RAF Voyager for several weeks, is intended to help keep oil flowing from the Gulf and ease global economic turmoil. This assistance comes as the Houthis advance near the Bab al-Mandab strait, a key route for oil exports.

Burnham plans to use his meeting with US President Donald Trump to urge de-escalation in Iran, warning of the impact of global instability on people's lives and the UK economy. The ongoing turmoil in the Middle East has contributed to rising global energy prices, inflationary pressures in the UK, and increased government borrowing costs.

Burnham's agenda at the UN General Assembly also includes discussions on the war in Ukraine and artificial intelligence, with concerns about AI safety being a focus for his speech. His meeting with Trump is significant, with reports of prior tension over the UK's stance on military action in Iran and defense spending levels.