UK grants US military access to British bases for Strait of Hormuz operations

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — The United Kingdom has officially approved the use of British military bases by United States forces to launch strikes against Iranian targets threatening the Strait of Hormuz.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister's office, British cabinet ministers convened on Friday to discuss the escalating conflict with Iran and Tehran's attempts to close the critical waterway. The decision marks a significant expansion of UK policy, as ministers agreed that the US authorization to use British bases can now encompass operations specifically designed to protect civilian and military vessels navigating the Strait.

Principles behind the UK's approach remain unchanged

Previously, the UK had only permitted US forces to utilize its bases for operations directly aimed at protecting British interests or the lives of its citizens. The Prime Minister's office emphasized that this new authorization does not mean the UK will directly participate in offensive strikes in the Middle East.

The official statement stressed that the "principles behind the UK's approach to the conflict remain the same." Furthermore, it highlighted that British ministers urgently stressed the need for de-escalation and a swift resolution to the ongoing war.

Trump heavily criticizes Starmer's government

The UK's decision followed intense pressure and public criticism from the United States. On March 20, US President Donald Trump accused NATO allies of being too slow to act regarding the Strait of Hormuz, infamously stating, "Cowards, we will not forget this."

Responding to the UK's latest move while speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump characterized the base authorization as a "very belated response." While noting that the relationship between the two nations remains strong, the US President directed sharp criticism at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

"Frankly, the UK surprised me a little; they should have acted much faster. We don't need you to join wars after we've already won them. Indeed, they were almost our very first ally. They didn't want the island, the so-called island, to be used; which for some reason they had given up their rights to," Trump remarked.

Trump’s comments regarding "the island" referred to Diego Garcia, located within the Chagos Islands. The UK recently agreed to transfer sovereignty of the islands to the Maldives and subsequently lease the military base back.

Iran issues "legitimate defense" warning to the UK

Following the announcement, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi strongly condemned the UK's decision. Araghchi accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer of endangering the lives of British citizens and warned that Tehran would exercise its "right to legitimate defense."

In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the Iranian Foreign Minister argued that the majority of the British public does not want any role in what he described as a war preferred by Israel and the US against Iran.

"Ignoring his own people, Starmer is endangering the lives of Britons by allowing British bases to be used for an aggression against Iran," Araghchi stated.

A historical shift in UK military base policy

The UK government's stance on the use of its bases has evolved significantly since the onset of the conflict. Initially, London did not allow British military bases to be used to support US strikes against Iran.

On February 28, the day the US and Israel launched joint strikes against Iran, Prime Minister Starmer stated that British aircraft were in the air solely as part of a defensive operation to "protect our people, our interests, and our allies" in the Middle East. The following day, Starmer announced that the UK had granted the US permission to use the RAF Fairford base in Gloucestershire and the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean, but strictly for "defensive" strikes.

At that time, Starmer clarified that these strikes would only target Iranian positions that had fired upon UK personnel and allies in the region, explicitly stating that Britain would still not participate in "offensive actions." However, following Trump's public rebuke on March 3, where he stated, "We don't have Winston Churchill in front of us," the UK's policy shifted, culminating in this latest expansion of base usage rights.

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