Iran is using Russian tactics to make their drone strikes more effective, a former SAS boss has claimed.

15:27, Thu, Mar 12, 2026 Updated: 16:12, Thu, Mar 12, 2026

Explosion reported near U.S. Consulate and airport area in Erbil

An explosion was reported near the U.S. Consulate in Erbil yesterday - it is unclear if this is the drone swarm that attacked the base (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

Western troops were targeted in a drone attack last night with several US service members believed to have been injured. The attack, suspected to have been launched from Iran, hit Iraqi cities on Wednesday night - striking bases in Erbil and Baghdad.

Lieutenant General Nick Perry, Chief of Joint Operations tasked with command of global operations, confirmed the attack on the base in Erbil which contains British personnel helping to defend it. He confirmed that British forces had managed to shoot down two UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) but that others had hit the base. He told Defence Secretary John Healey in a highly staged briefing in front of media: "We are also doing some really important work in Iraq.

Iran: Lt Gen Nick Perry briefs Defence Secretary Jon Healy

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"As mentioned, both Erbil and Baghdad were struck a number of times last night, and we are seeing increasing coordination in those attacks.

"We have personnel in Erbil who are currently helping with the defence of the base.

"Last night they shot down two UAVs approaching the camp. A number of other UAVs did impact the camp, but there were no British casualties. Their operations have therefore been fairly continuous since the situation began."

Brigadier Guy Foden added that the UK had flown air combat patrols over Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, along with a “number of sorties” over Qatar, as he confirmed that British pilots had logged 300 hours of flights since the conflict began.

John Healey being briefed by military officers

Senior British officers confirmed the attack in northern Iraq (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)

Following the US-Israeli strikes, Iran has warned vessels not to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, leading to the price of heating oil doubling in the past week.

Asked whether the UK would be prepared to participate in a patrol of the straits, Mr Healey said: “So firstly, these are early days.

“The reports of Iran mining the Straits is becoming established. The evidence and number of commercial ships being attacked is becoming established.

“The two things that I think are most significant are, first, that recognising the huge impact that this potentially has on oil prices and on people’s cost of living around the world.

“There is an international imperative and incentive to try and see this resolved.

“Big steps like the record release of reserve oil helps, but doesn’t solve the problem.

“And the second is a realism that in a in circumstances of conflict, demining any waters is extremely difficult and therefore, in addition to the additional options that, of course, as Defence Secretary, I’m discussing with our planners, in part, reflecting the fact that I’ve already got some demining autonomous systems in place in the region since before the conflict.

“In the end, this is likely to be most quickly sorted and the Straits are most likely to be quickly opened by a de-escalation of the conflict, by a greater stabilisation and confidence in the region and by all those nations that want to see the statues reopened being willing to work together.”