UK Gives US Green Light to Use Bases for Iran Strikes
The United Kingdom has agreed to let the United States use its military bases for operations against Iran, reinforcing the Western coalition's posture in the escalating conflict. Meanwhile, the UK's Foreign Office publicly called for immediate de-escalation from Iran, highlighting a dual strategy of military readiness and diplomatic pressure.
The use of UK bases for US military operations has historical precedent, notably the 1986 bombing of Libya. F-111 fighter-bombers took off from RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk for what was, at the time, the longest combat fighter mission in history, a 13-hour, 6,400-mile round trip to strike targets in Tripoli and Benghazi. UK territory was also crucial during the 2003 Iraq War, where the US utilized Royal Air Force bases. RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, the US Air Force's only European airfield for heavy bombers, was a key hub for B-52 operations during the conflict. The base continues to host rotations of B-52, B-1, and B-2 bombers. The strategic island of Diego Garcia, a British territory in the Indian Ocean, is another significant joint UK-US military base likely to be involved. The base is capable of hosting long-range US bombers like the B-2 and B-52, placing them within striking distance of Iran. Recent satellite imagery has shown a significant deployment of B-2 stealth bombers to the island. The UK's decision to grant permission followed a direct drone attack on its own RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus. This base is a critical hub for UK operations in the Middle East and was recently reinforced with additional F-35 jets and air defense systems. The government has justified its decision as an act of "collective self-defence" to protect allies and British citizens. The potential for escalation poses a significant risk to the large number of British nationals in the region. The government has stated there are at least 200,000 British citizens in countries targeted by recent Iranian missile strikes. In response to the attacks, the UK Foreign Office has urged Britons in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar to shelter in place. This military alignment comes despite a complex diplomatic and economic relationship with Tehran. The UK and Iran have maintained diplomatic ties, though relations have been strained, leading to the temporary withdrawal of UK diplomatic staff from its Tehran embassy. Total trade in goods and services between the two nations was £433 million in the year leading up to the third quarter of 2025. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government initially hesitated to grant the US access to the bases, reportedly due to legal concerns over the initial US-Israeli strikes. However, after Iran's retaliatory missile and drone attacks across the Gulf, including one which struck close to British troops in Bahrain, the position shifted to allowing "specific and limited defensive" actions against Iranian missile sites. The move has not been without criticism within the UK. Opposition parties, including the Green Party, have voiced concerns about the UK being drawn into another "illegal war" in the Middle East and have called for the lessons of the Iraq War to be heeded.
