UK reportedly blocks US request to use bases for Iran attack

The UK has reportedly refused US requests to use British military bases for a potential strike on Iran, triggering tensions between London and Washington. 

According to a report published on Thursday by The Times, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer allegedly informed US President Donald Trump that the UK would not permit the use of British facilities at the joint US-UK base on Diego Garcia or RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire for any potential military action against Iran.

The report said the decision was driven by concerns that taking part in a strike without a clear legal basis could breach international law. 

The Times added that the move had prompted Trump to withdraw support for UK plans to transfer sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory, including the Chagos Islands, which are home to the strategically significant Diego Garcia airfield, to Mauritius.  

Under longstanding arrangements, the United States must seek British approval before using UK sovereign military bases for operations. 

Several UK media outlets, including the BBC, reported that US military preparations for possible strikes on Iran- potentially launched from Diego Garcia- may have heightened Trump’s appreciation of the island’s strategic value, as the largest in the Chagos archipelago. 

The US president referred to this in a Wednesday post on Truth Social, writing: "Should Iran decide not to make a deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the [RAF] Airfield location in Fairford, in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous regime." 

RAF Fairford and other British bases were most recently used by the US in support of an operation that seized the tanker Bella 1, which was accused of involvement in "shadow fleet" activities and breaches of Iran sanctions.  

The operation was confirmed by the UK Ministry of Defence last month, with ministers stating it had been conducted with full British support and was justified under international law. 

However, potential US military action against Iran would likely face scrutiny in London.  

The Times reported that its sources indicated the UK would be unlikely to back a pre-emptive strike, following a similar refusal to participate in a previous US attack on Iranian nuclear facilities during Israel’s 12-day conflict with the Islamic Republic last summer. 

Neither Washington nor London has publicly commented on the latest developments. 

Meanwhile, Iran warned on Thursday that US bases, facilities and assets would be considered “legitimate targets” if Washington proceeded with military action.  

In a letter to Antonio Guterres and the president of the UN Security Council, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, cited Trump’s recent Truth Social post and called on the international community to “ensure that the United States immediately ceases its unlawful threats of the use of force.” 

The letter stated that Iran remains committed “to diplomatic solutions” and “on a reciprocal basis, addressing ambiguities regarding its peaceful nuclear programme.” 

However, Iravani warned that if Iran were subjected to military aggression, "all bases, facilities, and assets of the hostile force in the region would constitute legitimate targets in the context of Iran’s defensive response."

Trump has repeatedly threatened military action against Iran, initially citing Tehran’s crackdown on anti-government protesters last month and more recently its nuclear programme. 

On Thursday, he said Iran had no more than 15 days to reach a deal and again suggested the US would carry out strikes if it failed to do so. 

His remarks followed talks in Geneva on Tuesday between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, who met indirectly with Iran’s top diplomat and reported signs of alleged progress.