Iran's ambassador to the UK has warned that RAF bases used by the US for its war effort may become legitimate targets. Seyed Ali Mousavi told Times Radio that targeting such bases was being considered, stating: 'This is a very important matter for our self-defence. The military sections of our system will decide appropriately.'
US forces have used RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territory to launch strikes on Iran. Iran fired two missiles at Diego Garcia in March, one of which failed en route while the second was intercepted. RAF Akrotiri was also targeted earlier in the war in a failed attack believed to have been launched by Hezbollah.
Defence Secretary John Healey told MPs last week that the US has permission to use UK bases for defensive strikes against specific Iranian targets, including missile sites and capabilities threatening shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The Government had previously only allowed the US to use British bases to hit missile sites targeting British interests in the region.
US President Donald Trump criticised London for what he described as 'a very late response', amid increasing alarm at Britain's preparedness and vulnerability to missile strikes. Trump said the US could end its Iran offensive in two or three weeks and shift responsibility for the Strait of Hormuz to countries that rely on it for oil and shipping.
