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Keir Starmer is currently navigating a potential crisis within the Labour Party concerning the Middle East situation, after granting the United States permission to carry out strikes against Iran from bases in the UK.
The Prime Minister is encountering increased friction within his party, with left-wing members vocal in their criticism of Donald Trump’s actions.
Sir Keir declared last night that US forces could use British bases for defensive missions in response to Iran’s aggressive deployment of drones and missiles targeting several neighboring countries.
Despite initial reservations, Downing Street maintains this decision does not represent a policy reversal. Initially, the Prime Minister refrained from engaging in joint military actions with Israel and was non-committal about the UK’s position, unlike Australia and Canada, who openly supported the operations. This hesitance has led to accusations that Sir Keir was attempting to appease his backbenchers by not taking a clear stance.
Kemi Badenoch expressed frustration, asserting that Sir Keir only acted when forced and noted that ministers still have not explicitly supported the military interventions.
But while the shift has been welcomed by some Labour MPs, others are livid at the assistance being provided to the US operations. The Lib Dems and Greens are pushing for a Commons vote on the decision.
The political difficulties are compounded for Sir Keir after Labour’s humiliating defeat by the hard-Left Greens in last week’s Gorton & Denton by-election.
It is not clear whether Sir Keir – who did not take questions last night – will make a statement to Parliament later.
On a day of geopolitical drama:
- The FTSE 100 opened lower amid fears the crisis will drive up oil prices and inflation, preventing the Bank of England lowering interest rates;
- The UK’s RAF Akrotiri base on Cyprus was targeted by Iran last night but there were no injuries;
- The US and allied countries are racing to stop Iran being able to launch huge stocks of drones and missiles.
Keir Starmer announced last night that American forces would be permitted to operate from UK bases for defensive purposes, after the Tehran regime rained down drones and missiles on a host of nearby states
The PM is facing more tensions within his ranks, as left-wingers condemn Donald Trump’s action
Touring broadcast studios for the government this morning, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said it was ‘not in the UK’s interests’ to support the US attack on Iran over the weekend.
She told Times Radio: ‘I think our guiding issue has been about UK interests and about what we think is the right way forward.
‘And our assessment was that it was not in the UK’s interests to provide support for the action that took place over the weekend.
‘But it is in UK interests and it is the right thing to do – given how many British citizens that we have in the region – to support this defensive action now.’
Hostilities in the Middle East are entering their third day, having already resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Shortly after Sir Keir’s announcement last night the UK base on Cyprus was targeted, although nobody was hurt.
Israel has launched strikes on Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, overnight after Hezbollah fired missiles across the border.
The Israeli military confirmed it intercepted a missile and reported no injuries, later urging residents in 50 Lebanese villages to evacuate ahead of possible retaliatory action.
More than 300,000 British nationals, including military personnel, are thought to be at risk in the Gulf as the Tehran regime launches further missiles at its neighbours.
In a recorded statement last night, the PM said he had agreed to a US request to use British bases to protect UK nationals and allies in the region, accusing Iran of pursuing a ‘scorched earth strategy’.
Sir Keir said British forces would not be directly involved in the strikes, and the bases would only be used for the ‘specific and limited defensive purpose’ of targeting missile storage depots and launchers being used to attack Iran’s neighbours.
He said: ‘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.’
It is not clear which bases will be used, but Donald Trump has previously referred to asking to use Diego Garcia, one of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean.
Reports have also suggested the US could use RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, which can handle American heavy bombers.
Mark Carney, prime minister of Canada, said he supported ‘the US action’ to ‘prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon’ and continuing to threaten ‘international peace and security’.
Labour MPs have been condemning the PM’s change in stance over the US action
The Greens – who defeated Labour in a by-election last week – have been urging a Commons vote on the decision
Shortly after Sir Keir’s announcement last night the UK base on Cyprus was targeted, although nobody was hurt
And Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese used similar language, while Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, also supported the action.
Meanwhile the UK, in a joint statement with France and Germany, condemned Iran’s retaliation and urged Tehran to return to the negotiating table, but did not openly back the strikes.
Defence Secretary John Healey repeatedly refused to state the UK’s position on the US-Israel action yesterday.
Asked six times by the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg if the UK supported the strikes or believed they were legal, Mr Healey declined to give a direct answer.
Mr Healey’s remarks were seized on by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch who tweeted: ‘Britain’s Defence Secretary can’t tell us if our Government supports the strikes on Iran. We are not being governed.’
Mrs Badenoch said that she stood with the US and Israel as they ‘take on the threat’ of Iran.
Sir Keir’s initial refusal to allow the US to use UK military bases reportedly came after a legal opinion – drafted by Attorney General Lord Hermer – emphasised the primacy of international law.
But shadow attorney general Lord Wolfson has dismissed the reluctance as ‘weak and wrong’, suggesting that Canada and Australia have better lawyers.
The peer and KC said: ‘Is this now UK policy: If Iran fires missiles at Dubai or Oman, UK forces intervene. But not if the missile is aimed at a US ship or Tel Aviv?
‘If so, in the conflict between US and Iran, this approach makes the UK a bystander. Still weak and still wrong.’