After Prime Minister Keir Starmer approved the plan, the U.S. has been given the green – light to use British bases for limited strikes on Iran’s missile capabilities. Meanwhile, U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey stated on Sunday that Britain had “joined forces with the Americans.”
“The only way to eliminate the threat is to destroy the missiles at their origin, either in their storage facilities or on the launchers used to fire them,” Starmer affirmed in a pre – recorded statement to the nation.
“The U.S. has asked for permission to use British bases for this specific and limited defensive objective,” he said. “We have decided to accept this request.”
This decision was made as the situation across the Middle East escalated following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory missile and drone attacks, which heightened concerns about a wider regional conflict.
On February 28, after Operation Epic Fury, Starmer confirmed that British planes “are flying today” across the Middle East “as part of coordinated regional defensive operations aimed at protecting our people, our interests, and our allies.”
Healey further revealed on Sunday that two Iranian missiles were launched in the direction of Cyprus, where Britain maintains important sovereign base areas.
The Royal Air Force confirmed that, operating from Qatar as part of the joint U.K. – Qatar Typhoon Squadron, they successfully intercepted an Iranian drone headed towards Qatar.
Approximately 300 British personnel are stationed at a location in Bahrain, where Iranian missiles and drones hit nearby areas.
“We are taking down the drones that pose a threat to our bases, our people, or our allies,” Healey told “Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips” on Sky. “We have joined hands with the Americans. We have increased our efforts. We are conducting those sorties.”
Healey also emphasized that the U.K. had “no involvement” in the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and insisted that all British actions were defensive. “All our actions are about safeguarding U.K. interests and protecting U.K. allies,” he said.
When asked if the U.K. would participate in offensive action with the U.S., Healey said, “I’m not going to make speculations,” according to the report.
Downing Street also confirmed on February 28 that Starmer and the President had a phone call about the “situation in the Middle East,” as reported by the BBC.
Digital has contacted Downing Street for a comment.