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The United States has received the green light to utilize British bases for targeted strikes aimed at Iran’s missile infrastructure. This decision follows Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s approval and was reinforced by U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey, who announced on Sunday that Britain is standing alongside the U.S. in this endeavor.
“To neutralize the threat, it’s essential to eliminate the missiles at their origin, whether in storage facilities or on the launch pads,” Starmer articulated in a nationwide broadcast.
He elaborated, “The U.S. has sought authorization to use British bases for this targeted defensive action, and we have resolved to grant this request.”
This move comes against a backdrop of rising tensions in the Middle East, following U.S. and Israeli actions against Iran and subsequent retaliatory missile and drone strikes from Tehran, which have heightened concerns about a potential regional conflict.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has endorsed a strategy to allow British bases to support limited strikes on Iran’s missile capabilities, underscoring the strategic collaboration between the U.K. and U.S.
On Feb. 28, in the wake of Operation Epic Fury, Starmer confirmed British planes “are in the sky today” across the Middle East “as part of coordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests and our allies.”
Healey went on to disclose Sunday that two Iranian missiles were fired in the direction of Cyprus, where Britain maintains key sovereign base areas.
The Royal Air Force confirmed that Typhoon jets operating from Qatar as part of the joint U.K.-Qatar Typhoon Squadron successfully intercepted an Iranian drone heading toward Qatar.
About 300 British personnel are stationed at a naval facility in Bahrain, where Iranian missiles and drones struck nearby areas.
“We’re taking down the drones that are menacing either our bases, our people or our allies,” Healey told “Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips” on Sky. “We’ve stepped up alongside the Americans. We’ve stepped up our defensive forces in the Middle East. We’re flying those sorties.”
British Defense Secretary John Healey stressed that the U.K. had “no part” in the American-Israeli strikes on Iran. (Peter Nicholls/Pool via Reuters)
Healey also made sure to stress that the U.K. had “no part” in the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and insisted all British actions were defensive. “All our actions are about defending U.K. interests and defending U.K. allies,” he said.
When asked if the U.K. would join the U.S. in offensive action, Healey said, “I’m not going to speculate,” according to Sky News.
Downing Street also confirmed Feb. 28 that Starmer and President Donald Trump had spoken by phone about the “situation in the Middle East,” the BBC reported.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Downing Street for comment.
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