Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said Britain should not accept more people fleeing conflict in Iran. Instead, he argued the UK must help create conditions that encourage exiles to return home.
During a press conference, Farage said the country “simply can’t” afford to take additional refugees from foreign conflicts. In his view, ministers must avoid turning the UK into a magnet for those escaping the crisis.
The Iranian refugees Britain debate has intensified as tensions rise in the Middle East. According to Farage, authorities should house displaced people within the region rather than resettle them in Europe. He believes Western governments should prioritise political change in Tehran.
Referring to the “wonderful Persian people,” he suggested many exiles who left after 1979 would prefer to return. He has previously voiced support for Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the former Shah. Many Iranians living in Britain fled when clerics seized power.
“I’m not suggesting they should be forced to go back,” Farage said. However, he added that many would willingly return if a different regime replaced the current leadership.
Criticism of past Western policy also formed part of his remarks. He argued that the 2015 nuclear agreement released billions of dollars to Tehran. In turn, he claimed the regime used that money to back groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis.
Farage praised US President Donald Trump for taking a tougher stance. At the same time, he criticised Prime Minister Keir Starmer for initially refusing US requests to use British bases. Trump described that delay as “deeply disappointed.”
Meanwhile, Reform colleague Robert Jenrick said his party would have supported American operations. Speaking to GB News, he argued Britain must remain a reliable ally. Strong defence ties, he suggested, outweigh legal hesitation in moments of crisis.
For his part, Starmer has defended his position. He acknowledged that Iran allegedly sponsored more than 20 plots in Britain over the past year. Nevertheless, he insisted any UK involvement must meet a clear legal test.
The Iranian refugees Britain issue now sits at the centre of broader foreign policy tensions. Critics warn that rejecting asylum seekers could weaken humanitarian commitments. Supporters counter that Britain must prioritise national capacity and regional stability.
Farage argued that transforming Iran offers the best long-term answer. A stable and prosperous nation, he said, would attract many former exiles back home.
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