Starmer: US did not request access to UK bases before striking Iran

Moscow (ANTARA) - Washington did not request access to UK bases before launching an attack on Iran, and only made the request for the first time on 28 February, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday.

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

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

‘There was no request with specific conditions from the US that we agreed to until Saturday [28 February] afternoon,’ Starmer told reporters, commenting on reports that the British government was alleged to have discussed the issue of UK bases on Friday and decided not to grant access to the US.

‘Therefore, on Friday there were no concrete decisions that could be made. Decisions must be made when we receive the request. The request came on Saturday afternoon,’ he added.

London and Washington discussed specific conditions for the use of UK bases by US bomber aircraft on Sunday, after which permission was granted, Starmer clarified.