The United States has secured authorization to utilize British military bases for targeted strikes on Iran’s missile infrastructure. This decision follows Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s approval, as U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey announced on Sunday that Britain has “aligned itself with the Americans.”
“To neutralize the threat, it’s essential to dismantle the missiles at their source, whether in storage depots or on the launch pads,” Starmer stated in a televised address to the public.
He elaborated, “The U.S. sought permission to engage British bases for this precise, defensive mission. We’ve resolved to grant this request.”
This move comes as tensions in the Middle East heighten following U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran, which have provoked retaliatory missile and drone assaults from Tehran, sparking concerns over potential regional conflict escalation.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has officially sanctioned the utilization of British bases for selective operations aimed at Iranian missile sites. (Kin Cheung / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
On February 28th, following the launch of Operation Epic Fury, Starmer confirmed the deployment of British aircraft over the Middle East, participating in synchronized defense initiatives to safeguard national interests and allies.
Healey went on to disclose Sunday that two Iranian missiles were fired in the direction of Cyprus, where Britain maintains key sovereign base areas.
The Royal Air Force confirmed that Typhoon jets operating from Qatar as part of the joint U.K.-Qatar Typhoon Squadron successfully intercepted an Iranian drone heading toward Qatar.
About 300 British personnel are stationed at a naval facility in Bahrain, where Iranian missiles and drones struck nearby areas.
“We’re taking down the drones that are menacing either our bases, our people or our allies,” Healey told “Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips” on Sky. “We’ve stepped up alongside the Americans. We’ve stepped up our defensive forces in the Middle East. We’re flying those sorties.”
British Defense Secretary John Healey stressed that the U.K. had “no part” in the American-Israeli strikes on Iran. (Peter Nicholls/Pool via Reuters)
Healey also made sure to stress that the U.K. had “no part” in the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and insisted all British actions were defensive. “All our actions are about defending U.K. interests and defending U.K. allies,” he said.
When asked if the U.K. would join the U.S. in offensive action, Healey said, “I’m not going to speculate,” according to Sky News.
Downing Street also confirmed Feb. 28 that Starmer and President Donald Trump had spoken by phone about the “situation in the Middle East,” the BBC reported.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Downing Street for comment.
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