Britain has authorised the United States to use UK military bases to carry out strikes on Iranian missile sites that are being used to attack shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the government said on Friday.
A UK government spokesperson said ministers met and “confirmed that the agreement for the US to use UK bases in the collective self-defence of the region includes US defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.”
The decision marks a widening of Britain’s support for U.S. operations since the war began on February 28. The UK has previously said it allowed U.S. forces to use RAF Fairford and the joint U.S.-UK base at Diego Garcia for what it described as defensive action, and has deployed air assets in the region to help protect partners targeted by Iranian retaliation.
Reuters reported that Prime Minister Keir Starmer had initially resisted a broader U.S. request, citing legal concerns, but approved expanded use after Iran struck British allies in the Middle East and as disruption to Hormuz intensified concerns about energy markets and commercial shipping.
Iran criticised the UK decision, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warning it put British lives at risk and insisting Tehran retains the right to self-defence.
