The British government has authorized the United States to use military bases in Britain to strike Iranian missile bases targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a statement from Downing Street.British ministers met on Friday to review the escalating conflict with Iran and Tehran’s disruption of shipping through the key waterway.“They confirmed that the US agreement to use UK bases in the collective self-defence of the region includes US defensive operations to degrade missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz,” the statement was quoted by the BBC.Prime Minister Keir Starmer had previously said Britain would not get involved in a war with Iran and initially rejected a US request to use British bases, citing the need to legally justify any military action.However, he changed his position after Iran began attacks on British allies in the Middle East, allowing the US to operate from RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia.US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized Starmer’s stance since the conflict began. On Monday, he said there were “some countries that disappointed me very much,” before mentioning Britain, which he said was once considered the “Rolls-Royce of allies.”The Downing Street statement also called for “urgent de-escalation and prompt resolution of the war”.
