The UK government has refused to approve a request from the United States to use British air bases for potential strikes on Iran, the British public broadcaster BBC reported. The reported decision comes against the backdrop of the US building up a large military force near Iran, increasing fears of a military conflict in the region.
The Keir Starmer government is reported to have declined to authorise American long-range bombing operations from RAF Fairford near Swindon in sourther UK as it believes that pre-emptive attacks on Iran could breach international law.
The decision is likely to further increase tensions between the UK and the US. Ties between the allies are already strained over the UK's involvement in a deal to hand over the Chagos Islands, a British Indian Ocean Territory, to Mauritius.
The US is opposed to this deal since the island houses a military base on Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands that is crucial for launching long-range operations over the Middle East.
US President Donald Trump has criticised the UK's stance and has warned against relinquishing control of the Chagos Islands. On Truth Social, he said the United States might need access to Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford "in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous Regime."
Any US strike from Diego Garcia would only need Britain to be informed under existing treaties, but using RAF bases would require explicit UK approval.
British reluctance to support a pre-emptive strike reflects longstanding caution inside government. Under international law principles incorporated into UK policy after 2001, a state can share responsibility for unlawful military action by an ally if it knowingly assists the operation.
Britain similarly declined direct participation in earlier US strikes on Iranian targets, limiting involvement to defensive measures protecting UK assets and regional allies.
Tensions have grown in recent months over Britain’s plan to hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and lease back Diego Garcia for 99 years at a reported £35 billion. Washington sees the base as vital to Indo-Pacific and Middle East operations.
Trump, who has alternated between backing and criticising the arrangement, again urged Britain not to proceed, writing, "DO NOT GIVE AWAY DIEGO GARCIA!" He previously called the agreement a "big mistake."
Source: ANI