Keir Starmer’s statement on Iran in full as US granted access to UK bases
Sir Keir Starmer has revealed that Britain has agreed to allow the US access to British bases to attack missile installations and silos in Iran.
Starmer said British forces would not be directly involved in the attacks and that the bases would only be used for “specific and limited defensive purposes”, such as targeting missile depots and launchers used to attack Iran’s neighbours.
It is unclear which bases will be used, but Donald Trump has previously requested the use of Diego Garcia, one of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean.
Reports also suggested that the US could use RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, which could deal with American heavy bombers.
In a video statement posted on social media late Sunday evening, the Prime Minister added that Britain was not involved in offensive attacks against Tehran.
Sir Keir’s decision came after a day of talks with regional leaders; During these talks, it became clear that the leaders wanted Britain to do more to protect them from Iranian missiles.
Keir Starmer’s full statement:
“Yesterday I spoke to you about the situation in the Gulf and explained that Britain had no hand in the attacks on Iran. This situation continues.
“For the last two days, Iran has carried out continuous attacks against countries that did not attack them throughout the region.
“They hit airports and hotels where British citizens were staying. This is clearly a dangerous situation.”
“We have at least 200,000 British citizens in the region – residents, families on holiday and those in transit.
“I ask all our people in the region to please register their presence and comply with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ travel advice.
“I know this is an extremely worrying time and we will continue to do all we can to support you.
“Our Armed Forces throughout the region are also at risk due to Iran’s actions.
“Yesterday Iran struck a military base in Bahrain, narrowly missing British personnel.
“The death of the Supreme Leader will not stop Iran from carrying out these attacks. Their approach is becoming increasingly reckless and dangerous to civilians.”
“Our decision that the UK will not be involved in attacks on Iran was deliberate; in particular, we believe that the best way forward for the region and the world is a negotiated solution in which Iran agrees to renounce any ambition to develop nuclear weapons.
“But Iran still impinges on British interests and puts the British people, along with our allies in the region, at great risk. That’s the situation we face today.”
“Our partners in the Gulf have asked us to do more to defend them and it is my duty to protect British lives.
“We have British jets in the air as part of coordinated defensive operations that have successfully thwarted Iranian attacks.
However, the only way to stop the threat is to destroy the missiles at their source, their depots, or the launchers used to fire the missiles.
“The US requested permission to use British bases for this specific and limited defense purpose.
“We have decided to accept this request to prevent Iran from firing missiles into the region, killing innocent civilians, risking British lives and striking countries that are not involved.
“The basis for our decision is the collective self-defense of our long-standing friends and allies and the protection of British lives.
“This complies with international law and we are publishing a summary of our legal advice.
“We do not participate in these attacks, but we will continue our defensive actions in the region.
“We will also bring together experts from Ukraine with our own anti-drone expertise to help our Gulf partners shoot down Iranian drones that attack them.
“I want to be very clear:
“We all remember Iraq’s mistakes, and we have learned those lessons.
“We did not take part in the first attacks against Iran, and we will not take part in acts of aggression now.
However, Iran is following a scorched earth strategy.
“Therefore, we support the collective self-defense of our allies and our people in the region. Because this is our duty to the British people.”
“This is the best way to eliminate the immediate threat…
“And prevent the situation from getting worse.
“This is the British government. It protects British interests and British lives.”
