UK to allow US to use British bases for defensive strikes against Iran

"The only way to stop the threat is to destroy the missiles at source in their storage depots or the launchers which are used to fire the missiles. The US has requested permission to use British bases for that specific and limited defensive purpose. We have taken the decision to accept this request to prevent Iran firing missiles across the region killing innocent civilians putting British lives at risk and hitting countries that have not been involved."

"The UK is acting in the collective self-defence of regional allies who have requested support. Revealing that 200,000 British people are in Middle Eastern countries being targeted by Iran, Starmer said the decision was necessary to prevent Iranian strikes that could kill innocent civilians and put British lives at risk."

"We will take steps to defend our interests and those of our allies in the region, potentially through enabling necessary and proportionate defensive action to destroy Iran's capability to fire missiles and drones at their source."

The UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, approved US access to two British military bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missile storage facilities and launchers. The decision followed Iran's increasingly reckless military actions threatening the region and approximately 200,000 British citizens in Middle Eastern countries. The UK justified the action as collective self-defense of regional allies who requested support, with British jets already participating in coordinated defensive operations that successfully intercepted Iranian strikes. The government released a legal position statement supporting the action. A joint statement with France and Germany affirmed commitment to defending regional interests through proportionate defensive measures. The decision faced criticism from Labour members and opposition parties who questioned its legality under international law.

Read at www.theguardian.com