Stephen Doughty, the British minister for Middle East affairs, warned against the Islamic Republic's threats against civilian infrastructure and shipping in the Persian Gulf, and emphasized that Britain will not stand idly by against attacks on civilians, infrastructure and threats to commercial shipping. "We stand with our regional partners in defense of their people, national sovereignty and security," Doughty said. "We will not stand idly by against attacks on civilians and infrastructure or threats to commercial shipping." Referring to the threats of the Islamic Republic and its proxies, he added: "We have a clear and common position regarding the very serious threats of Iran and its proxies." For a long time we have been firmly in the position that Iran should not obtain nuclear weapons. The British minister for Middle East affairs also emphasized that the Islamic Republic should not attack its partners, friends, business interests and citizens. Doughty said the Islamic Republic's threats to civilian infrastructure and seafarers in the Persian Gulf endangered the national sovereignty and security of Britain's regional partners and the rules-based order.