British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the UK has accepted the US request to use British military bases to strike missile depots in Iran.
In a video message shared on social media, Starmer made a statement regarding the situation in the Middle East.
He noted that approximately 200,000 British citizens are in countries targeted by Iranian attacks and said that they would do everything possible to support them.
Emphasizing that his duty is to protect the lives of British citizens, Starmer said:
“British jets are currently in the air as part of coordinated defensive operations that have successfully intercepted Iran’s attacks. However, the only way to stop this threat is to destroy the missiles at their source — namely in storage facilities or at the launchers used to fire them. The United States has requested permission to use British bases for this specific and limited defensive purpose. We have decided to grant this request in order to prevent Iran from launching missile attacks in the region, killing innocent civilians, endangering the lives of British citizens, and striking countries that have no involvement in the incident.”
Starmer argued that the decision is in line with international law, stressing that the UK is not taking part in offensive strikes against Iran but will continue its defensive actions in the region.
According to the British press, the UK has allowed the US to use the base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean as well as the Royal Air Force base in RAF Fairford.