UK Refuses to Allow US Use of RAF Bases for Potential Strikes on Iran,

Report Says

The United Kingdom has refused to grant permission for the United States to use British military bases—including RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia—for any potential military strikes against Iran, according to a report by The Times.

The decision stems from concerns that supporting such operations could breach international law. Under UK legal interpretations, there is no distinction between a state directly carrying out an attack and one providing support with knowledge of the circumstances of an internationally wrongful act. Bases can only be used for military operations with prior UK government consent and must comply with UK law and its view of relevant international obligations.

The refusal has reportedly prompted US President Donald Trump to withdraw his previous support for Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Chagos Islands deal. The agreement involves handing sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing back the strategically vital Diego Garcia base for UK and US use. Trump called the deal "a big mistake" on his Truth Social platform, directly linking his criticism to the lack of approval for base access in a potential Iran campaign.

In a post, Trump wrote: “Should Iran decide not to make a Deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the Airfield located in Fairford, in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous Regime — An attack that would potentially be made on the United Kingdom, as well as other friendly Countries.” He added: “We will always be ready, willing, and able to fight for the U.K., but they have to remain strong in the face of Wokeism, and other problems put before them. DO NOT GIVE AWAY DIEGO GARCI!”

The context arises amid heightened tensions over Iran's nuclear programme. Trump has been weighing fresh military options if no agreement is reached, including deploying additional US warships to the region. In a phone call with Starmer on Tuesday night, the leaders reportedly agreed that Iran must never develop nuclear weapons.

A UK government spokesperson responded: “As routine, we do not comment on operational matters. There is a political process ongoing between the US and Iran, which the UK supports. Iran must never be able to develop a nuclear weapon, and our priority is security in the region.”

Opposition Conservative shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge criticised the stance, arguing that if US action is deemed necessary to counter the Iranian nuclear threat and aligns with UK national interests, Britain should grant base access, including at RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia. He noted past Conservative support for US strikes on Iranian facilities last summer.

Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones insisted the Chagos deal remains essential for national security and would proceed, with the related legislation returning to Parliament as soon as time allows. She highlighted Trump's fluctuating position, noting his earlier endorsements of the deal.

The story highlights strains in US-UK relations under the current administrations, balancing alliance commitments, legal concerns, and regional security priorities amid ongoing Iran nuclear negotiations.