US Begins Using British Military Bases

The British government has announced that the United States has begun utilising a number of British military bases to support military operations against Iran amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The Ministry of Defence said the US is using these strategic sites for defensive operations aimed at preventing Iran from firing missiles into the region. This permission was granted after Prime Minister Keir Starmer approved the request to use two key bases, RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. U.S. military activity at RAF Fairford has become visible, with a B-1 Lancer bomber landing on Saturday, followed by the appearance of a large C-5 Galaxy transport aircraft on the same runway. The presence of these assets triggered protests by anti-war groups outside the base. Although the UK ultimately relented, U.S. President Donald Trump criticised Starmer’s initial reluctance to involve the UK in the conflict. Trump posted on Truth Social denying a possible deployment of two Royal Navy aircraft carriers to the region, saying that the United Kingdom might be Britain’s biggest ally, but Starmer should not join a war after victory. Starmer’s decision to permit the use of the bases represents a significant shift; he had previously argued that any action by the UK must have a lawful basis and a clear plan. The move is seen as a response to Iranian missile and drone attacks in retaliation for the US-Israel strike, which is viewed as a threat to UK interests and allies in the region. The issue remains sensitive within the Labour Party, with MPs wary of echoes of Tony Blair’s support for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. A Survation poll indicated that 56% of Britons support Starmer’s initial decision not to participate in an early strike. Demonstrations in London also occurred, with thousands marching to the U.S. Embassy, carrying banners calling for an end to arms supplies to Israel. By 27 February there had been no formal request to underpin the decision. Trump acknowledged that the US-UK relationship had become less close than in the past after Starmer initially refused to approve the use of Diego Garcia for operations against Iran. Cyprus expressed strong protests after drone attacks hit RAF Akrotiri, with Nicosia demanding assurances that the base would be used only for humanitarian missions, not military strikes. Diego Garcia remains the joint UK-US base located in the Indian Ocean, roughly 2,000 kilometres south of Sumatra. The move is part of a broader US campaign in coordination with Israel against Iran.