UK Permits US Use of Military Bases for Defensive Strikes on Iranian Missile Sites
The UK government has authorized the United States to utilize British military bases for limited defensive operations targeting Iranian missile facilities, aiming to protect regional allies and British nationals.
The United Kingdom has granted the United States permission to use British military bases for specific and limited defensive strikes against Iranian missile sites. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the decision, emphasizing the need to protect regional allies and British citizens from potential threats.
In a recorded statement, Starmer stated, "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." He added that the U.S. had requested permission to use British bases for this specific defensive purpose, and the UK had decided to accept this request to prevent Iran from firing missiles across the region, which could endanger innocent civilians and British lives.
The authorization allows the U.S. to operate from bases such as RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands. The UK government has published a summary of its legal position, stating that the action is in accordance with international law and based on the collective self-defense of longstanding friends and allies.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the decision, highlighting the importance of providing defensive support to partner countries where many British citizens reside. She emphasized that the UK continues to support diplomatic processes in Iran but stressed the necessity of ensuring defensive support in the short term.
The decision follows reports of Iranian missile attacks on countries in the region, including those not involved in initial U.S. and Israeli military operations. The UK, along with France and Germany, has condemned these attacks and called on Iran to cease its reckless actions immediately.
The UK government has clarified that British forces will not be directly involved in the strikes and that the bases will only be used for the specific and limited defensive purpose of targeting missile storage depots and launchers used to attack Iran's neighbors.