London says the move is strictly defensive and in line with international law as tensions escalate in the Middle East.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced on Sunday that the United Kingdom will allow the United States to use certain UK military bases to strike Iranian missile sites. According to him, the decision serves a “specific and limited defensive purpose”: to destroy Iranian missiles “at source,” either in storage depots or on launchers.
The authorisation comes amid a sharp escalation in the conflict. The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Saturday, while Tehran responded by targeting US assets in several Gulf countries, including Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq. Sir Keir stressed that the UK “played no role” in the initial strikes on Iran, but confirmed that British aircraft successfully intercepted Iranian attacks in order to protect allies and British citizens.
Approximately 200,000 British nationals are currently in the region. The Prime Minister noted that Iranian strikes have hit airports and hotels where British citizens were staying, and that a military base in Bahrain was targeted, narrowly missing British personnel.
The UK government has published a summary of its legal advice, stating that supporting US operations is consistent with international law, particularly under the right to self-defence when the use of force is “necessary and proportionate.” The UK, France and Germany also condemned Iran’s actions, describing its strikes as “indiscriminate and disproportionate.”
Evacuation plans for British nationals are reportedly being considered should regional airspace remain closed.
References:BBC News, Ben Hatton, “UK will allow US to use bases to strike Iranian missile sites, says Starmer,” BBC.co.uk.