UK Greenlights US Strikes on Iranian Targets Near Hormuz
The United Kingdom has granted expanded access for the United States to utilize British military bases for operations aimed at Iranian missile sites associated with assaults on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, according to source. As reported, British ministers on Friday reached an agreement to expand the scope of US operations to encompass “defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.” The UK had previously limited access to operations focused on preventing Iranian missile launches that posed a direct threat to British lives or interests, as reported.
It is reported, referencing a Downing Street spokesperson, that the government’s overall position remains unchanged. “[Ministers] 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 spokesperson said. In a post on social media, Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Opposition from the Conservative Party, condemned the decision, referring to it as the “Mother of all U-turns,” according to source.
The development follows a warning from Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, who stated that Tehran would consider the UK’s decision to grant US access to its bases as “participation in aggression.” During the call, Araghchi expressed criticism of the UK’s “negative and biased” stance regarding the US-Israeli actions against Iran. He warned that allowing Washington access to UK bases “will certainly be considered participation in aggression,” as reported. As reported, in response to the warning, a spokesperson from Downing Street stated that the UK granted the US access “for a specific defensive and limited purpose” in light of Iran’s strikes across West Asia.
“Our position has been crystal clear from the outset,” the spokesperson stated. “We did not participate in the initial strikes, and we are not being drawn into a wider conflict.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially declined Washington’s request to utilize UK military bases for strikes on Iran, referencing legal concerns. However, Starmer subsequently aligned with the defensive response following the attack on British military assets in West Asia, as reported.
