The Prime Minister has confirmed that the United Kingdom will allow the United States to use British bases for what he described as a specific and limited defensive purpose.
In a televised address, Keir Starmer said the UK was not involved in the initial strikes on Iran and would not join offensive action. However, he confirmed that British jets are already flying defensive missions and that further steps have been taken to protect British lives and regional allies.
“I spoke to you about the situation in the Gulf and explained that the United Kingdom was not involved in the strikes on Iran. That remains the case.”
Starmer said that over the past two days Iran had launched sustained attacks across the region, including strikes on locations where British nationals were present.
“They’ve hit airports and hotels where British citizens are staying. This is clearly a dangerous situation.”
He said there are at least 200,000 British citizens in the region, including residents, families on holiday and those in transit, and urged them to register with the Foreign Office and follow official travel advice.
“Our armed forces, who are located across the region, are also being put at risk by Iran’s actions. Yesterday, Iran hit a military base in Bahrain narrowly missing British personnel.”
While reiterating that the UK would not take part in offensive strikes, the Prime Minister confirmed that Gulf partners had requested additional support and that the United States had asked for permission to use British bases to target missile infrastructure.
“The United States has requested permission to use British bases for that specific and limited defensive purpose. 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.”
Starmer said the legal basis for the decision was collective self-defence and the protection of British lives, adding that a summary of the government’s legal advice would be published.
He also confirmed that British aircraft are flying as part of coordinated defensive operations and have already intercepted Iranian strikes.
“We are not joining these strikes, but we will continue with our defensive actions in the region.”
In addition, the UK will bring Ukrainian experts together with British specialists to support Gulf partners in countering Iranian drone attacks.
Addressing concerns about escalation, Starmer said the government had learned the lessons of Iraq and would not enter offensive operations.
“We were not involved in the initial strikes on Iran, and we will not join offensive action now.”
He concluded by framing the measures as necessary to protect British nationals and prevent further regional destabilisation.
Another u-turn from weasel Starmer.
He and Labour are cowards – liars – despicable and traitorous morons.
Oh nonsense. Grow up.
Do one – little one 😘
It’s not a U turn, Iran attacked us and UK Allie’s in an unprovoked attack. That now means there is legal justification for us to be involved.
Now given Irans attacks on our Allie’s we should get involved ourselves providing F35’s to strike Iranian launchers.
It’s a u-turn 100%
That is like saying it’s a U turn of I’m crossing the road.. then a car comes along so I change my mind and don’t cross the road.. Iran firing off random missiles has given HMG the legal reason it needed to do what it wanted to do.
Starmer refused to let the US use British bases – now he’s saying and I Quote: “The basis of the decision to accept the US request was the “collective self-defence” of allies and protecting British lives, accusing Iran of pursuing a “scorched-earth strategy”.
That’s a u-turn and he’s only doing because of the backlash he’s received.
Much as I dislike the Iranian regime, i am not sure you can say their response was unprovoked.
Pick a lane, government.
Also seeing reports that the UK, France and Germany are considering joint defensive strikes.
Basically it’s the fact Iran is shooting missiles at everyone gives the legal justification for the move…
That makes us a legitimate target, me thinks. An so it spreads.
Cyprus has just been hit
Now we should get stuck in. With our bases the USAF can get heavily involved instead of the USN having to do all the heavy lifting. God knows why the UAE and Qatar and other gulf Allie’s that re being targeted are now carrying out defensive strikes as well.
Nothing concrete yet, but there are growing rumours of an impact.
Israeli channel 14 is reporting that as a suspected plane crash at Akrotiri. Others are calling it a drone strike. While the reports are spase and sketchy, it’;s consistently reported that following an explosion, alarms sounded and at least two Typhoons took off. The Daily Mail online are running it and are tangentially linking it to UK permission to use our bases.
Iran (the IRCG) claims to have hit UK and US linked oil tankers in the Gulf with missiles and they are now ablaze. So it’s possible the incident at Akrotiri was deliberate.
Too late.
The USA will neither forgive nor forget.
Just like they neither forgave nor forgot last time we did this, right? Get a grip, the US is pragmatic if nothing else.
BS, Starmer has been actively running interference against the USA since he got into office – they are seriously pissed off with our Manchurian Candidate
There is no reason why we need to get involved unless we or our allies are directly attacked. We cannot afford to get potentually dragged into another Afghanistan or Iraq. We need to spend what little money we have rebuilding our armed forces.