Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer issues a statement at 10 Downing Street, London, on the latest developments in the Middle East. (Photo: AP)
The UK has agreed to a US request to use British military bases for what Prime Minister Keir Starmer described as a “specific and limited defensive purpose”, according to the BBC.
In a statement on Sunday, Sir Keir said the United States would be allowed to use British bases to target Iranian missile sites in order to stop further attacks across the region. He stressed that the UK was not involved in the initial US-Israel strikes on Iran and “will not join offensive action now”.
“The United States has requested permission to use British bases for that specific and limited defensive purpose,” Starmer said. “We have taken the decision to accept this request to prevent Iran firing missiles across the region, killing innocent civilians, putting British lives at risk.”
He said the move was based on the principle of “collective self-defence” and was in line with international law. The government, he added, would publish a summary of its legal advice.
Bases likely to include RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia
The BBC reported that the US is likely to use RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, both of which have previously supported long-range US bombing missions.
Story continues below this ad
US President Donald Trump had earlier said it “may be necessary” to use the bases if Iran refused to make a deal.
The US and Israel began strikes on Iran early Saturday. Tehran has since launched attacks on US assets and countries hosting American forces, including Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq.
Starmer said British aircraft were already operating in the Middle East in a defensive role and had intercepted Iranian strikes. “Our partners in the Gulf have asked us to do more to defend them and it’s my duty to protect British lives,” he said.
He added that around 200,000 British nationals are currently in the region, including residents and travellers, and said the government would continue efforts to support them. Officials are also considering evacuation plans if airspace closures continue.
The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis.
A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students.
All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence.
Core Team
The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy:
Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership.
Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage.
Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More
Share
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer issues a statement at 10 Downing Street, London, on the latest developments in the Middle East. (Photo: AP) 
