Britain Refuses to Use its Military Base for Attacks on Iran

LONDON - Britain has refused to grant permission to US forces to use British military bases for a potential attack on Iran, The Times reports.

The decision has raised tensions with Washington and triggered criticism from US President Donald Trump.

Under a long-standing agreement, American aircraft can operate from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, home to US heavy bombers, and a US-UK joint base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, only with the prior approval of the British government.

However, London has not granted such permission for any hypothetical action against Iran, citing concerns that participating in an attack without a clear legal justification could violate international law, as quoted by Anadolu (20/2).

President Trump criticized the decision while attacking the 2025 British agreement to transfer sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory, including Diego Garcia and the Chagos Islands, to Mauritius.

On his Truth Social platform, he warned that "it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the airfield located at Fairford to counter potential attacks by a very unstable and dangerous regime," referring to Iran.

The dispute arose after President Trump discussed his ultimatum to Iran regarding its nuclear program with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The next day, President Trump publicly linked his criticism of the Chagos deal to the potential role of Britain in any US military action.

He stated that Britain's support would be legitimate under international law, claiming that Iran could attack Britain and its allies.