Iran warns UK allowing US to use military bases could be considered ‘aggression’
Iran has warned Britain that allowing US forces to launch an attack on Tehran using British bases would be “participating in the attack”.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi criticized “Britain’s negative and prejudiced approach” in a telephone conversation with interior minister Yvette Cooper, and warned against Britain’s intervention in Donald Trump’s war.
The comments came despite Sir Keir Starmer’s efforts to avoid being drawn into the wider conflict in the Middle East after he came under criticism for not joining the initial US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
The UK has since allowed US forces to use British bases, including RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, to launch “limited and defensive” missions targeting Iran’s missile capabilities.
Responding to Araqchi’s comments on Friday, a government minister insisted the government was “absolutely right to protect and defend” the 300,000 British nationals currently in the Middle East.
“But we were also right not to be an active participant,” Environment Minister Emma Reynolds said. Sky News.
“For example, we were asked to provide the basis for attacks in Iran and the prime minister refused to allow UK bases to be attacked. [used] on this basis.
“We were not dragged into this war and we want to see this conflict diminish.”
The Prime Minister was forced to reject criticism from both opponents and allies that Britain did not act quickly enough when the fighting began and said he “stands by” the decision not to join the US-Israeli initial strikes on Tehran.
However, the government later announced that it would allow US forces to use British bases to launch missions against Iran, arguing that this was a decision that would protect British citizens and interests.
Iran’s foreign minister told Ms Cooper in a telephone conversation that the actions “will certainly be considered participation in aggression and will be recorded in the history of relations between the two countries.”
In a post in Farsi on Telegram, Mr Araghchi claimed he told Ms Cooper: “At the same time, we reserve our inherent right to defend the sovereignty and independence of the country.”
Ms Reynolds insisted the bases were “used solely for defensive purposes” and highlighted the fact that Iran did not make the same distinction, saying: “With all due respect, I am not on your program of negotiations with the Iranian regime.
“What I am stating is the government’s position that our UK bases are only used by the US or our allies to defend our own people in the region.”
The warning comes as conflict continues in the Middle East after the United States launched a new offensive to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
After Tehran allowed a small number of ships safe passage through the narrow waterway, Washington deployed low-flying jets and Apache helicopters to hit Iranian ships and drones near the shipping lane.
The effective closure of the key oil route has caused fuel costs to rise globally, with a new warning that energy prices in the UK could rise by £300 in the summer.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the additional cost-of-living pressures Britons face as energy bills are expected to rise later in the year.
Housing Minister Steve Reed will meet local residents and community leaders on Friday to discuss ministers’ efforts to protect their finances.
Ahead of the visit, Sir Keir said: “I know how much pressure rising costs can put on families here in the South East and beyond – especially when there is uncertainty on the global stage.
“That’s why this government is taking action to protect household budgets, keep daily costs low and provide security at home, while listening directly to people on the issues that matter most to them.”
Sir Keir said the longer the conflict lasts, “the greater the impact on the cost of living will be” and argued that “the best way forward is to reach a negotiated agreement with Iran”.
