LONDON — The United Kingdom has authorized the United States to use British military bases to carry out strikes on Iranian missile sites targeting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a statement released Friday by Downing Street.
The statement said British ministers convened earlier in the day to discuss the war with Iran and Tehran’s closure of the strategic waterway.
“The agreement allows the United States to use British bases in the context of collective defense in the region, including U.S. defensive operations to destroy missile sites and capabilities used to attack vessels in the Strait of Hormuz,” the statement read.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer had earlier indicated that London would not be drawn into a war with Iran and initially declined a U.S. request to use British bases for strikes, citing the need to ensure the legality of any military action.
However, Starmer shifted his position after Iran launched attacks on British allies across the Middle East. He pointed to the potential use of RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia, a joint U.S.-UK facility in the Indian Ocean.
U.S. President Donald Trump had repeatedly criticized Starmer since the conflict began, accusing him of failing to provide sufficient support. On Monday, Trump said that “some countries have disappointed me greatly,” singling out the UK, which he noted was once considered among Washington’s closest allies.
Despite the authorization, the Downing Street statement called for “urgent de-escalation and a swift resolution to the war,” underscoring the tension between military coordination and diplomatic caution.
London’s decision reflects a pragmatic recalibration—supporting allied operations while attempting to contain escalation and preserve a legal and political balance.
