PM Starmer: US did not ask for access to British bases before attacking Iran

JAKARTA - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed that Washington did not ask for access to British bases before launching an attack on Iran, and only made the request for the first time on February 28.

On Saturday, the US and Israel launched attacks on targets in Iran, including in Tehran, causing damage and casualties among civilians.

Iran retaliated with attacks on Israeli territory, as well as on a number of US military bases across the Middle East.

"There was no request with special requirements from the US that we agreed to until Saturday [February 28] afternoon," Starmer told reporters in response to reports that the British government allegedly discussed the issue of British bases on Friday and decided not to provide access to the US.

"Therefore, on Friday no concrete decisions can be made. Decisions must be made when we receive the request. The request came on Saturday afternoon," he added.

London and Washington discussed the specific conditions for the use of the British base by US bombers on Sunday, after which permission was granted, Starmer said.