British Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a statement at 10 Downing Street, London, on the latest developments in the Middle East. (Photo: AP) The United Kingdom accepted a request from the United States to use British military bases for what Prime Minister Keir Starmer described as a “specific and limited defensive purpose,” according to the BBC.
In a statement on Sunday, Sir Keir said the United States would be allowed to use British bases to attack Iranian missile sites in order to stop further attacks across the region. He stressed that the UK did not participate in the initial US and Israeli attacks on Iran and “will not join the offensive action now”.
“The United States has requested permission to use British bases for that specific and limited defensive purpose,” Starmer said. “We have taken the decision to accept this request to stop Iran launching missiles across the region, killing innocent civilians and putting British lives at risk.”
He said the measure was based on the principle of “collective self-defense” and was in line with international law. The government, he added, would publish a summary of its legal advice.
Bases likely to include RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia
The BBC reported that the United States is likely to use RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, both of which have previously supported long-range US bombing missions.
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US President Donald Trump had previously said it “may be necessary” to use the bases if Iran refused to reach a deal.
The United States and Israel began attacks against Iran early Saturday. Since then, Tehran has launched attacks against US assets and countries hosting US forces, including Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq.
Starmer said British aircraft were already operating in the Middle East in a defensive role and had intercepted Iranian attacks. “Our partners in the Gulf have asked us to do more to defend them and it is my duty to protect British lives,” he said.
He added that around 200,000 British citizens are currently in the region, including residents and travelers, and said the government will continue its efforts to support them. Officials are also considering evacuation plans if airspace closures continue.
