Britain Allows US to Use Bases to Target Iranian Missiles

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, LONDON — The British government has approved the expansion of United States (US) access to UK bases for operations targeting Iran’s missile capabilities that threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a Downing Street statement. The government statement mentions that in a meeting on Friday (20/3), cabinet ministers confirmed that the agreement for the US to use UK bases in the collective self-defence of the region includes US defence operations to reduce the capabilities and sites of missiles used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

The government emphasised that “the principles behind the UK’s approach to the conflict remain the same” and called for “urgent de-escalation and a swift resolution to the war.”

The cabinet ministers “condemned Iran’s expansion of targets to include international shipping.”

“They agreed that Iran’s reckless attacks, including against Red Ensign ships (British Shipping Registers) and allied and Gulf partner ships nearby, risk pushing the region further into crisis and exacerbating the economic impacts felt in the UK and around the world.”

In a post on his X social media account, Conservative opposition leader Kemi Badenoch described the decision as “the biggest U-turn of all time.”

Since the intensive US-Israel attacks began on 28 February, Britain has shifted from initial refusal of base access to deeper logistical and operational involvement.

“While taking the necessary actions to defend ourselves and our allies, we will not become involved in a wider war,” said British Prime Minister Starmer on Monday. He added that the British government would continue to work to end the fighting.

However, Britain’s increasingly expansive role in the conflict has sparked debate over whether that position is becoming harder to sustain.

Regional hostilities in the Middle East have intensified since Israel and the US launched combined attacks against Iran on 28 February, which have so far reportedly killed around 1,300 people, including Iran’s then-top leader, Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile attacks across the region and has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz to most ships.

The Strait of Hormuz is a major oil transit route that typically handles around 20 million barrels per day and about 20 percent of global liquefied natural gas trade.