UK Allows US to Use Bases for Iran Strikes

The specific sites granted for US use are the strategic Indian Ocean base on Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, which is capable of handling American B-52 heavy bombers. The UK also operates a key hub for Middle East operations at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, which has been used for defensive actions. This decision marks a reversal for the UK government, which had initially refused to grant the US permission to use the bases for its first wave of strikes against Iran, citing concerns over the lack of a clear legal justification. The initial refusal drew public criticism from President Trump, who stated the UK "took far too long" to provide support. The policy shift came after Iran launched a wave of retaliatory missile and drone attacks across the region. These attacks included a suspected Iranian drone striking the UK's RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus, causing minor damage, and another missile landing near British personnel at a base in Bahrain. Within the UK, the move has been contentious. Conservative and Reform UK party leaders had been pressuring the government to offer more robust support for the US action. Conversely, the Liberal Democrats have demanded a parliamentary vote on the decision, with leader Ed Davey warning it could be a "slippery slope" into a wider conflict. The UK government has stated its actions are a matter of "collective self-defence" for its regional allies. While not joining the offensive strikes, British jets are already conducting defensive operations in the region, having successfully intercepted Iranian drones. An estimated 200,000 British citizens are in the countries targeted by Iran. The US has maintained a continuous military presence in the United Kingdom since the Second World War. UK-based airfields have previously been used for US military operations, including the 1986 bombing of Libya and missions related to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.