UK allows US to use bases for ‘defensive’ strikes on Iran

The United Kingdom has agreed to a US request to use British military bases for what Prime Minister Keir Starmer claimed are “defensive” strikes on Iranian missile sites.

Starmer stressed that Britain was not involved in the initial US-Israeli attacks on Iran and “will not join offensive action now”. He said the government had learned from the “mistakes of Iraq”.

He framed the decision as part of “collective self-defence” and the protection of British lives, accusing Iran of pursuing a “scorched-earth strategy”.

“The United States has requested permission to use British bases for that specific and limited defensive purpose,” he said, referring to targeting missiles “at source”.

In a statement posted on Sunday evening, Starmer said British aircraft had already intercepted Iranian strikes and added: “Our partners in the Gulf have asked us to do more to defend them and it's my duty to protect British lives.”

He argued that destroying missile stockpiles and launchers was necessary to prevent further regional attacks.

“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,” he said.