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The United Kingdom has granted the United States permission to utilize British military installations to launch attacks on Iranian missile sites, which are currently being employed to target vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz. This development was confirmed by a spokesperson for the U.K. government on Friday.
The decision emerged following a meeting on Friday afternoon, where British ministers convened to deliberate on the ongoing crisis. The discussions focused on Iran’s persistent blockade of the strait and its increasing assaults on maritime vessels and oil and gas infrastructure, as outlined in a statement from Downing Street.
“It was confirmed that the arrangement allowing the U.S. to operate from U.K. bases for the collective defense of the region includes U.S. operations aimed at undermining the missile sites and capabilities threatening ships in the Strait of Hormuz,” the spokesperson stated.
The spokesperson emphasized that the U.K. is collaborating closely with global allies to formulate a strategy to protect commercial shipping from Iran’s “reckless” attacks. However, they reiterated that the U.K.’s stance on the conflict remains unchanged.
“The core principles guiding the U.K.’s approach to this conflict are unchanged: the U.K. is resolute in defending its citizens, interests, and allies, upholding international law, and avoiding entanglement in the broader conflict,” the statement reiterated.
Prime Minister Kier Starmer initially blocked a request for U.S. planes to use the country’s bases for attacks on Iran, while the U.S. was still weighing potential action.
But shortly after Tehran launched its retaliatory campaign in response to joint U.S.-Israeli strikes, Starmer reversed course and approved U.S. use of Diego Garcia on the Chagos Islands and RAF Fairford in the U.K. for parts of its military operation.
Friday’s decision now expands the authorized use of British bases, a move Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch described as the “mother of all U-turns.”
President Trump has lobbed criticism at the U.K. and Starmer repeatedly over its approach to the situation in the Middle East, rejecting their offer in the early days of the war to send two aircraft carriers to the region.
He renewed pressure this week on the U.K. and other European allies to join the military effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which is a critical maritime chokepoint that transports about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply daily.
Though some NATO countries, including the U.K., have signaled a “readiness to contribute” to those efforts, they have resisted calls to enter the war in a broader capacity.
On Friday, Trump referred to NATO as a “paper tiger” and “cowards,” rebuffing their collective opposition to engaging in strikes.