John Healey has refused to say whether the UK government backs the US and Israeli bombing of Iran which killed the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The defence secretary would only confirm that Britain “played no part” in the military action.

Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard confirmed in the early hours of Sunday that Khamenei had died, and said it would launch its “most-intense offensive operation” against American and Israeli targets in response.

That led to Donald Trump warning they “better not do that, because if they do we will hit them with a force that has never been seen before”.

Countries across the Middle East have already been attacked by Iran as tensions in the region threaten to explode into a full-blown war

Nevertheless, Healey refused to be drawn on the government’s position when asked by the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg.

She asked the cabinet minister whether he thought the American and Israeli action was “reckless or do you think it was right”?

Healey said: “We played no part in these strikes as Britain.”

But Kuenssberg told him: “We know that, you’ve said that already. But this is a moment of history.

“Everyone watching this morning will want to know and expect to know from their government is Britain on the side of those two countries who have killed Iran’s Supreme Leader?”

Healey said: “I think people watching will want to know now, today, that Britain is on top of what’s necessary to do what we can to keep them safe, to reinforce regional stability, prevent further escalation, and that’s my task and that’s my priority as defence secretary of the UK.”

The US and Israel described Saturday’s attacks on Iran as a “pre-emptive” strike against a Tehran government intent on developing nuclear weapons.

It retaliation from Iran, with strikes reported in several Gulf countries including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

In a statement from Downing Street on Saturday, Keir Starmer said the UK “played no role” in the strikes on Iran.

“But we have long been clear – the regime in Iran is utterly abhorrent,” he added.

“They have murdered thousands of their own people, brutally crushed dissent, and sought to destabilise the region.”

Starmer said Iran “must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon” and called for the resumption of diplomatic efforts to prevent that from happening.

He said: “Iran can end this now. They should refrain from further strikes, give up their weapons programmes, and cease the appalling violence and repression against the Iranian people – who deserve the right to determine their own future, in line with our longstanding position.

“That is the route to de-escalation and back to the negotiating table.”

The Green Party’s membership has surged past 200,000 in the wake of their historic victory in the Gorton and Denton by-election.

Party bosses revealed the number of people joining has tripled from 68,000 last September, when Zack Polanski was elected leader.

Polanksi said the party’s latest milestone “is a political turning point”.

“Over 200,000 people have now joined a movement that refuses to accept managed decline, climate delay, or timid politics.

“Across the country, communities are choosing hope over fear and courage over compromise. The victory in Gorton and Denton shows what’s possible when we organise, when we speak clearly and when we stand unapologetically for climate justice, social justice and economic transformation.”

He added: “Let me be absolutely clear: Greens are not here to be disappointed by Labour, but to replace them.

“We will not wait politely for change; we are building it. This membership surge proves that the future of progressive politics belongs to the Greens.”

The Times reported in December that internal data showed Labour’s membership had fallen below 250,000.

Reform UK are currently Britain’s biggest political party, with a membership approaching 300,000.

Qualified plumber Hannah Spencer won Thursday’s by-election with a majority of nearly 4,500.

Reform UK came second, with Labour – which had held the seat with a majority of nearly 13,5000 – came third.