Keir Starmer is maintaining that UK bases will only be used for “defensive” strikes on Iranian military targets, even as Donald Trump threatens to bomb civilian infrastructure. The US president said on Monday he was “not at all” worried about committing war crimes, raising questions about the viability of the UK’s legal position.
The UK government has released a summary of its legal stance, arguing it is acting in collective self-defence of regional allies. However, international law experts are divided on whether the distinction between defensive and offensive operations can hold, especially if US attacks target bridges and power plants.
Susan Breau, a professor of international law, said it would be “extremely complicated” for the UK to maintain that distinction given Trump’s changing battle plan. She warned that allowing US use of UK bases is problematic, particularly as Trump shifts to attacking civilian infrastructure.
Victor Kattan, an assistant professor of public international law, argued the UK’s position could remain tenable if it restricts its involvement to shooting down rockets targeting Gulf allies. He said the UK should make clear that its bases and hardware are not being used to punish Iran or attack critical infrastructure.
Both experts agree the UK will need to constantly review its legal position. Breau said the government should reconsider it, while Kattan noted that a “fine distinction” is possible but requires careful management.
