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UK prepares for possible decision on Iran strike base use
The US strikes against Iran have entered a seventh consecutive night, renewing debate in Britain over whether to keep allowing U.S. forces to operate from UK bases.
The resumption of US strikes against Iran is putting incoming UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham under pressure to decide on day one how far Britain will support its closest ally in a controversial military campaign, according to people familiar with the talks.
Even as Burnham was installed as leader of the governing Labour Party on Friday, outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government was engaged in high-level discussions about the renewed US attacks. The strikes have reportedly continued for a seventh consecutive night, and Burnham has been kept briefed as the situation develops.
The US campaign has raised legal and escalation concerns, with President Donald Trump threatening to target Iranian civilian infrastructure in ways that could be seen as violating international law. Starmer previously declined to join the initial sorties in February, but later allowed British bases to be used for so-called defensive strikes focused on degrading Iran’s military capabilities and countering its threat to the Strait of Hormuz.
The US has relied on British facilities including RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire as a launching point for missions into the Middle East. British officials are also reportedly concerned about Trump’s threats to bomb Iranian civilian infrastructure, prompting fresh discussions about whether base use should continue.