UK allows US to use British bases to strike Iranian sites targeting Strait of Hormuz

The United Kingdom will allow the U.S. to use British military bases to carry out strikes against Iranian missile sites being used to target ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a U.K. government spokesperson confirmed Friday.

The decision came after British ministers met Friday afternoon to discuss the ongoing conflict, including Iran’s continued blockade of the strait and escalating attacks on vessels and oil and gas facilities, according to a Downing Street statement.

“They confirmed that the agreement for the US to use UK bases in the collective self-defence of the region includes US defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson noted that the U.K. was “working closely” with international partners to develop a plan to safeguard commercial shipping from “reckless” Iranian strikes but affirmed the country’s position on the war was unchanged.

“They reaffirmed that the principles behind the UK’s approach to the conflict remain the same: the UK remains committed to defending our people, our interests and our allies, acting in accordance with international law and not getting drawn into the wider conflict,” the statement said.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially blocked a request for U.S. planes to use the country’s bases for attacks on Iran, while the U.S. was still weighing potential action.

But shortly after Tehran launched its retaliatory campaign in response to joint U.S.-Israeli strikes, Starmer reversed course and approved U.S. use of Diego Garcia on the Chagos Islands and RAF Fairford in the U.K. for parts of its military operation.

Friday’s decision now expands the authorized use of British bases, a move Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch described as the “mother of all U-turns.”

President Trump has lobbed criticism at the U.K. and Starmer repeatedly over the country’s approach to the situation in the Middle East, rejecting its offer in the early days of the war to send two aircraft carriers to the region.

He renewed pressure this week on the U.K. and other European allies to join the military effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which is a critical maritime chokepoint that transports about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply daily.

Though some NATO countries, including the U.K., have signaled a “readiness to contribute” to those efforts, they have resisted calls to enter the war in a broader capacity.

On Friday, Trump referred to NATO as a “paper tiger” and “cowards,” rebuffing their collective opposition to engaging in strikes.

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