Sir Keir Starmer has authorised the United States to use British military bases to strike Iranian missile sites, as officials prepare a major operation to evacuate UK citizens from the Gulf region. The decision comes amid escalating hostilities following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with the US and Israel continuing to strike Iran.
More than 200,000 British nationals, including military personnel, are thought to be at risk in the Gulf as Iran launches further missiles at its neighbours. The Prime Minister said he agreed to a US request to use British bases for the “specific and limited defensive purpose” of targeting missile storage depots and launchers, accusing Iran of pursuing a “scorched earth strategy”.
Sir Keir stressed that British forces would not be directly involved in the strikes. It is unclear which bases will be used, but Donald Trump has previously mentioned Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, and reports suggest RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire could be involved. The Prime Minister insisted the decision was in line with international law, citing “collective self-defence”.
The Foreign Office has mounted an unprecedented operation to support British nationals, with plans for potential evacuation routes if Gulf airspace remains closed. More than 94,000 people have already registered their presence online. The Government has urged Britons in Bahrain, Israel, Palestine, Qatar and the UAE to register and follow local authorities' instructions.
The decision has drawn criticism from opposition parties. Green Party leader Zack Polanski accused Sir Keir of jumping into “yet another Middle East illegal war”, while the Liberal Democrats demanded MPs be given a vote. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described the move as “better late than never”, calling the Prime Minister “a follower, not a leader”.
