The UK’s decision to greenlight US airstrikes marks a significant development as the United States received approval to use British bases for limited strikes targeting Iran’s missile capabilities. Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorized the move following a formal U.S. request, emphasizing that the action is defensive and narrowly focused.
“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,” Starmer said in a recorded statement. He added, “The U.S. has requested permission to use British bases for that specific and limited defensive purpose. We have taken the decision to accept this request.”
The approval follows escalating tensions across the Middle East after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory missile and drone attacks. U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey confirmed Britain has increased its military posture in the region. “We’re taking down the drones that are menacing either our bases, our people or our allies,” Healey said. “We’ve stepped up alongside the Americans. We’ve stepped up our defensive forces in the Middle East. We’re flying those sorties.”
Healey stressed that Britain had “no part” in the initial U.S. and Israeli strikes and said, “All our actions are about defending U.K. interests and defending U.K. allies.” When asked whether the U.K. would join offensive operations, he responded, “I’m not going to speculate.”
British Typhoon jets operating from Qatar intercepted an Iranian drone, while two Iranian missiles were reportedly fired toward Cyprus, where Britain maintains sovereign base areas. Downing Street also confirmed that Starmer and President Trump spoke about the “situation in the Middle East.”
