UK Permits US Use of Military Bases for Defensive Strikes on Iranian Missile Sites

The United Kingdom has granted the United States permission to use British military bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missile sites, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced. This decision comes in response to Iran's increasingly reckless actions, which have been deemed a threat to British lives.

"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," Starmer stated.

He emphasized that the US requested access to British bases specifically for this limited defensive purpose, and the UK has agreed to this request to prevent Iran from launching missiles across the region that could endanger innocent civilians and British nationals.

The UK government released a summary of its legal position, stating: "The UK is acting in the collective self-defence of regional allies who have requested support."

Starmer also revealed that British jets are actively participating in coordinated defensive operations and have successfully intercepted Iranian strikes.

This move has sparked controversy within the UK. The Liberal Democrats have called for a parliamentary vote on the matter. Party leader Ed Davey expressed concern, stating that the Prime Minister must not let the US drag Britain into another prolonged war in the Middle East and should provide MPs with a full legal case and a vote.

The UK government has declined to explicitly support the US's military actions, which reportedly resulted in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Defence Secretary John Healey commented that few would mourn the Ayatollah's death, highlighting the regime's history of violence against its own citizens and sponsorship of terror.

The UK continues to advocate for a diplomatic solution to the crisis while taking measures to protect its interests and those of its allies in the region.