Britain Allows US to Use its Bases to Launch Missiles at Iran But Does Not Join the Attack

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. (Twitter/@10DowningStreet)

JAKARTA - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Sunday he had agreed to allow the United States to use a British base to launch a "defensive" attack aimed at destroying Iranian missiles and their launchers.

But in a video address posted on social media, he added: "We were not involved in the initial attack on Iran and we will not join in the offensive now," AFP reported (2/3).

"But Iran is pursuing a scorched earth strategy, so we support the collective self-defense of our allies and people in the region," he continued.

PM Starmer added: "Our decision that Britain will not be involved in an attack on Iran is deliberate."

"Especially because we believe that the best way for the region and the world is a settlement through negotiations," he added.

A separate statement posted on the UK Government website explains its legal position.

Earlier on Sunday, France, Germany and Britain said in a joint statement they were ready to defend their interests and those of their allies in the Gulf if necessary by taking "defensive action" against Iran.

As previously reported, Israel and the United States launched an attack on the capital Tehran and a number of cities in Iran on Saturday.

Quoted from ABC, the United States dubbed the operation "Operation Epic Fury" while Israel called it "Operation Roaring Lion."

Mid last month, Britain refused to grant permission to US forces to use British military bases for a potential attack on Iran, The Times reported.

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.