Britain allows US to strike Iran from its bases

The British government has allowed the United States to use its military bases to carry out strikes on Iranian missile positions threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The decision followed a ministerial meeting on the security situation and Iran’s blockade of the strategic waterway.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer had until recently stressed that Britain did not want to be drawn into a war. He initially rejected the US request, citing the need for a legal assessment, but later changed his position following Iranian attacks on allies in the region. The move allows the US to use both RAF Fairford and Joint Base Diego Garcia.

At the same time, the British government continues to emphasise the need for de-escalation.

The decision comes amid mounting pressure from President Donald Trump, who has criticised London for its lack of support. On Friday, he also branded NATO allies ‘cowards’.

Opinion polls in Britain indicate widespread scepticism about the war, with 59 per cent of respondents in a YouGov poll saying they opposed US–Israeli attacks.

(reuters, max)