The United Kingdom government, led by Keir Starmer, has refused a request from Donald Trump to allow American forces to use British military bases for potential military strikes against Iran, according to multiple British media reports.
Under longstanding defence agreements, Royal Air Force facilities such as RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean can only be used for operations against third countries with explicit approval from the UK government. Starmer’s administration has reportedly declined that approval, citing concerns about compliance with international law and the legal implications of supporting military action without a clear and defensible basis.
The reported decision marks a significant point in diplomatic relations between the UK and the US at a time of heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and regional security dynamics. President Trump, who had publicly suggested such bases might be needed if negotiations with Tehran fail, criticised the move and has since expressed opposition to a separate UK plan to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, where Diego Garcia is located. This dispute has complicated discussions over defence cooperation and the future status of the strategic island base.
While the UK government has declined to comment in detail on operational decisions, officials have reaffirmed London’s support for diplomatic efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and emphasised the importance of regional stability. The refusal to grant access for potential military action reflects the UK’s cautious approach to involvement in direct conflict scenarios and underscores the complex legal and political considerations at play in allied military cooperation.