UK declines US request of using RAF base near Swindon for possible Iran strikes: Report | World News
The UK government has reportedly rejected a US request to allow the use of British air bases for potential attacks on Iran; This is a move that could increase friction over the proposed agreement to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration has refused to allow American long-range bombers to operate from RAF Fairford near Swindon, arguing that taking part in pre-emptive strikes against Iran could breach international law.
Meanwhile, the United States has increased its military deployment in the Middle East and is preparing contingency options for possible action against Iran.
The dispute is now linked to discussions about the future of the joint UK-US base at Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands, a strategically important facility vital to long-range military operations in the region.
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US President Donald Trump has publicly criticized Britain’s refusal to give the US greater access to British bases and warned against giving up control of the Chagos Islands.
On the Truth Social platform, referring to Iran, he argued that Washington may need to continue using Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford base in the UK “to counter a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous regime”, and suggested that such access was vital to regional security.
Under current agreements, US forces will only need to inform Britain before launching operations from Diego Garcia, but any use of RAF airfields will require express permission from Britain.
London’s hesitancy to approve a pre-emptive strike reflects deep-seated caution within the government: UK policy, shaped by principles of international law adopted after 2001, provides that a state can share responsibility for illegal military action by an ally if it knowingly facilitates that action.
This is not the first time Britain has rejected such a US request. Britain has previously refused to take direct part in US strikes against Iranian targets, instead limiting its role to defensive actions aimed at protecting British assets and supporting regional allies.
