A handful of papers weigh up the UK’s role if the war were to escalate, it comes after criticism that the UK has been slow to back the United States’ attack on Iran.

The first editions of this morning’s newspapers were published before Trump’s ceasefire announcement, so only a few lead with the ceasefire on their front pages. Many of the American news websites have led with ceasefire updates.

UPDATE: The “ceasefire” has been broken as Iran launches missiles into Tehran. It’s still unclear if Iran ever agreed to a ceasefire. 

The stories dominating UK news this morning

There’s one main story you can’t escape this morning, with almost every paper covering it on their front pages and its constant updates dominating their websites. Every paper covers it, but several different angles have emerged.

‘Trump claims ceasefire agreed between Israel and Iran’ 

• The Daily Telegraph reports the US president took to Truth Social to say that the stop to fighting would be “complete and total,” although being implemented in increments, starting from 05:00 BST on Tuesday. 
• NBC said Trump expects the ceasefire to “go forever”, saying he doesn’t think the two sides “will ever be shooting at each other again.” 
• The NYT reports he has “got the job done” with a truce, but even some of his own administration were caught by surprise. An official tells the outlet that the US bombing Iran “set the conditions” for ceasefire talks. 
• Metro reports on Trump’s post about “regime change” in Iran. The US president has since said Israel and Iran have agreed to a “complete and total” ceasefire. 

‘Iran strikes US airbases, leaving the Middle East on edge’

Most of the papers went to print before the ceasefire announcement. 

• The Guardian says the attack in Qatar was a response to the US hitting Iranian nuclear bases. Iranian state media claims they also launched missiles at Iraq. 
• The Times describes Iran’s attack as “limited”, with Donald Trump thanking the regime for giving him “early notice” of the missiles. He took to Truth Social to say: “Congratulations world, it’s time for peace.” 
• The FT reports on Iran’s strike on a US base in Qatar. The paper says residents heard explosions across Doha as “air defences intercepted up to 10 missiles,” it writes. 
• The Daily Express picks up on Trump’s call for peace after he described the attack from Iran (on US bases) as “very weak.” 

‘Whose side are you on, Sir Keir?’ 

Several papers look at what role Britain may play if the war spirals. 

• The Daily Mail reports that the Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said the UK is prepared to defend its interests in Iran, while urging the country to “dial this thing down”. The UK’s response, or lack of, to the US attack on Iran has led the paper to suggest the prime minister won’t back the United States. 
• The i newspaper leads with David Lammy’s words that the UK is “ready to defend our allies” in the Middle East. The paper says the British government has hardened its language with the aim of showing a “deterrent” to Iran. 
• The Daily Mirror reports that “dozens of Britons were airlifted out of Israel” amid the Middle East war games.

A look at stories on the front pages of the UK newspapers

A breakdown of the front page stories: most lead with the Middle East, but there are a few domestic stories worth taking a look at this morning.

The FT leads on the Iran strikes on a key US military base in Qatar. The paper highlights that the attack was a retaliation for the recent US attack on Iran, whilst also suggesting the Islamic Regime is fighting for survival.

It also leaves room to report that both Germany and Italy face calls “to move their gold out of New York”, which the FT says are the result of Trump’s “repeated attacks on the US Federal Reserve” and “increased geopolitical turbulence.”

The Daily Telegraph leads with the agreed ceasefire between Iran and Israel.

It’s also one of the few papers to heavily feature another story: the UK’s £40bn spending pledge on defence. It’s been labelled “smoke and mirrors”. The UK has agreed to a new defence spending target of 5% of GDP – effectively £40bn extra a year on UK defence. But he won’t announce any new money when he sets out his plans to meet the Nato demands. 

The Daily Express leads with Trump’s mocking of Iran’s ‘very weak’ attack on the US base in Qatar.

The front page also reports on a new tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The Guardian suggests the Middle East is on edge after Iran retaliated against US attacks, striking back. Despite Trump calling the attack ‘very weak’, the paper notes that Tehran has hailed the strikes on Qatar and Iraq “a mighty and successful response”.

The paper reports that Jeff Bezos’s Venice wedding has been met with protesters who want the American billionaire to pay more in tax.

The Daily Mirror leads on the Middle East, claiming it is in “turmoil”.

Elsewhere, TV presenter Dermot Murnaghan has revealed he has been diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer. The former ITV, BBC and Sky News journalist, 67, said he was “responding positively” to treatment and was “feeling well”.

The Daily Mail calls for the prime minister to come out in public and say the UK backs America.

The tabloid continues to speculate over why Princess Kate skipped Ascot and what it tells us about her return to public life following her cancer treatment earlier in the year.

The i newspaper reports that the UK is ready to defend its Middle Eastern allies, suggesting Britain is hardening its language when talking about the Middle East crisis.

The front page also leaves room to report on the backlash to Jeff Bezos’ wedding, the paper says it’s proof that money can’t buy you ‘taste or class’.

Bias Exposed from UK newspapers

The front page coverage of the Middle East crisis highlights clear divisions within the UK newspapers and how they cover the war. Many of the papers, regardless of political leanings, attempt to frame Iran as the aggressor and the US as a victim – many omit from their headlines that the attacks were retaliatory.

• The i’s headline uses direct, action-focused framing – “Iran attacks American base” – to convey immediacy and seriousness, emphasising aggression. However, it omits context like prior U.S. strikes, warning given to Qatar, the lack of casualties, and symbolic intent, which shifts tone from measured retaliation to outright hostility. It’s a classic media tactic that privileges urgency and drama while smoothing over nuance.
• The Daily Mirror’s headline uses broad, dramatic language – “Middle East in turmoil” and “war games” – to create a sense of regional chaos and military escalation. It lacks specific detail, framing the situation as volatile and unpredictable. The term “war games” can downplay real-world conflict by making it sound strategic or theatrical, a media tactic often used to stir tension without clearly informing.
• The Daily Express headline leverages juxtaposition and emotional contrast -“Time for peace” offers calm reassurance, while referencing Iran’s “very weak attack” downplays the threat and portrays U.S. strength. It frames Trump as both authoritative and a peacekeeper, subtly minimising Iran’s action while reinforcing American power. It’s a classic media tactic, combining reassurance with national pride to guide reader perception.

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