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Updated 02 March 2026 - UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirms agreement to US request for base access amid escalating regional tensions.
UK grants US access to military bases
The British government has approved a US request to utilize Royal Air Force bases for targeted strikes against Iranian missile installations, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced on Sunday. The decision follows mounting concerns over Iran's aggressive regional posture and its impact on British nationals and allies.
Bases identified for US operations
According to BBC reports, the US is expected to operate from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and the British territory of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. Both locations have previously supported long-range US military missions. The announcement comes hours after a drone attack struck RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, causing minor damage but no casualties. Investigations are underway to determine the origin of the strike.
Legal and political justifications
Starmer framed the decision as a measure of "collective self-defence" under international law, aimed at protecting British lives and regional allies. He emphasized that the UK would not participate in offensive actions against Iran, drawing a distinction from past conflicts such as Iraq. The government released a summary of its legal advice, stating that the use of force is permissible when it is the "only feasible means" to counter an ongoing armed attack, provided it is both necessary and proportionate.
"The only way to stop the threat is to destroy the missiles at source, in their storage depots, or the launchers which are used to fire the missiles."
Sir Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister
Political reactions and criticisms
The decision has sparked sharp debate across the political spectrum. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused the government of timidity, suggesting Labour's stance was influenced by voter sentiment rather than national interest. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey demanded parliamentary approval for the move, arguing the UK "must not be complicit in illegal military action."
Reform UK's Nigel Farage called the decision "better late than never" but criticized Starmer as a "follower, not a leader." Green Party leader Zack Polanski condemned the move as participation in "yet another Middle East illegal war."
Regional tensions and British nationals at risk
Starmer highlighted the growing threat to British citizens in the region, noting that at least 200,000 UK nationals-including residents, tourists, and transit passengers-are currently in the Middle East. He cited recent Iranian strikes on airports and hotels frequented by British citizens, as well as a near-miss at a military base in Bahrain where UK personnel were present.
The Foreign Office has urged British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, the Palestinian territories, Qatar, and the UAE to register their presence for emergency updates. Government officials are also preparing contingency plans to evacuate British citizens if regional airspace remains closed.
US and allied actions
The US and Israel launched strikes against Iran early Saturday, with US President Donald Trump stating that military action "may be necessary" if Iran refuses to negotiate. Iran has retaliated with attacks on US assets and countries hosting American military personnel, including Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, and Iraq.
Starmer confirmed that UK aircraft have been active in the region, intercepting Iranian strikes as part of a defensive operation. However, he reiterated that the UK "played no role" in the initial US-Israeli strikes. Defence Secretary John Healey declined to comment on the legality of those strikes, stating it was for the US to justify its actions. Healey did, however, emphasize the shared goal of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
International condemnation of Iran
In a joint statement on Sunday, the UK, France, and Germany accused Iran of carrying out "indiscriminate and disproportionate" strikes. The statement underscores the growing international concern over Iran's regional aggression and its broader implications for stability in the Middle East.
