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

The UK has authorised the United States to use British bases for strikes on Iranian sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz, expanding on a previous arrangement limited to defensive operations.

A Downing Street spokesperson said ministers meeting Friday (20 March) afternoon had “confirmed” that Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s agreement for the US to use British sites for defensive operations includes actions to “degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.”

“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,” Downing Street added.

Political reactions in the UK range from Kemi Badenoch describing the decision as a “mother of all U-turns,” to Green Party leader Zack Polanski calling it “another worrying escalation” and insisting MPs “must be given a vote on our involvement.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi criticised the UK for allowing US use of British bases, saying on X: “Ignoring his own people, Mr Starmer is putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran.”

In a related development, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of Sri Lanka told parliament on Friday that the government declined a US request to land two combat aircraft at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport from 4–8 March, citing the need to avoid taking sides in the conflict. The aircraft, armed with eight anti-ship missiles, were to fly from a base in Djibouti.

The US had made the request on February 26. The same day Iran requested three of its ships to make a goodwill visit to Sri Lanka from March 9-13 after participating in an Indian naval exercise. That request was also denied.

ℹ️ BBC News, POLITICO, Reuters