Keir Starmer’s Government has agreed to let the US military use British bases for defensive strikes on Iranian sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz. Downing Street announced the decision to let Donald Trump’s troops use UK bases to « degrade Iran’s missile sites » on Friday, as the regime is effectively blockading the vital oil route to Western tankers.
Hours prior, Iranian state media claimed Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had warned Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper that allowing British military bases to be used by US forces would be viewed by Tehran as an act of aggression, the Mirror reports. Downing Street had previously allowed US forces to use UK bases for operations to prevent Iran from firing missiles that put British interests or lives at risk. But the new move could see US troops using UK bases even to protect ships in the strait.
After a meeting with top ministers on Friday, a No10 spokeswoman confirmed that the UK has allowed the US to use its military bases in the region to help defend against attacks. This includes taking action against missile sites that are threatening ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The full statement read: “They confirmed that the agreement for the US to use UK bases in the collective self-defence of the region includes US defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
“They reaffirmed that the principles behind the UK’s approach to the conflict remain the same: the UK remains committed to defending our people, our interests and our allies, acting in accordance with international law and not getting drawn into the wider conflict. Ministers underlined the need for urgent de-escalation and a swift resolution to the war.”
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