LONDON – The UK has agreed to a US request to use British military bases, including RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia, for “defensive” strikes on Iranian missile sites, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed.
He stressed that the UK did not participate in the initial US-Israeli attacks and will not join any offensive action, citing lessons from the Iraq conflict.
The decision was framed as protecting British citizens and allies in the Middle East, where around 200,000 Britons are present.
Starmer cited Iranian attacks on regional targets, including a near-miss at a UK base in Bahrain and a drone strike on RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, which caused minimal damage.
The government emphasized the limited defensive purpose of allowing US operations from UK bases and stated that the move complies with international law.
“The only way to stop the threat is to destroy the missiles at source, in their storage depots, or the launchers which are used to fire the missiles.
“The United States has requested permission to use British bases for that specific and limited defensive purpose.
“We have taken the decision to accept this request to prevent Iran firing missiles across the region, killing innocent civilians, putting British lives at risk, and hitting countries that have not been involved,” Starmer argued.
Defence Secretary John Healey underlined that the UK shares the aim of preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon but did not participate in the strikes.
The decision has drawn criticism and debate in the UK. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused the government of being too cautious, while Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for parliamentary approval.
“So we watch our prime minister and cabinet ministers squirm and obfuscate in interviews, because they cannot say what needs to be said because too many of their voters do not want to hear it,” Badenoch said.
Other figures, including Nigel Farage and Green Party leader Zack Polanski, voiced contrasting views on the timing and legality of the move.
The UK, along with France and Germany, condemned Iran’s retaliatory strikes as “indiscriminate and disproportionate.” Officials are also considering plans to evacuate British nationals if regional airspace remains unsafe.
