London: Britain will not allow the United States to use Royal Air Force (RAF) bases to launch strikes on Iranian bridges and power plants, according to a media report. The i Paper reported on Monday that US targeting of such infrastructure would not qualify as defensive missions. Consequently, if Washington were to request the use of UK bases for these operations, it would be denied.
According to Anadolu Agency, US requests to use RAF bases are assessed on a case-by-case basis, and no formal request has been made for the potential strikes dubbed 'Power Plant Day' and 'Bridge Day' by US President Donald Trump. On Monday, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the UK government's stance in the Iran conflict, suggesting the UK has a 'long way to go' and likening Prime Minister Keir Starmer to former Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, known for his policy of appeasement towards Nazi Germany in the 1930s.
A spokesperson from the Defense Ministry clarified that the UK has permitted the United States to utilize British bases for defensive missions aimed at dismantling Iran's missile capabilities, which pose a threat to British interests and allies in the region. However, the spokesperson emphasized that there would be no ongoing commentary regarding allies' operations, including the use of British bases.
On March 1, Prime Minister Starmer stated that the UK would authorize the US to use British bases in Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, strictly for defensive missions. He remarked, 'The only way to stop the threat is to destroy the missiles at source - in their storage depots or the launchers which are used to fire the missiles.'
Addressing inquiries on Tuesday about the media report, Starmer's official spokesperson reiterated the government's stance, confirming there would be no continuous commentary on allies' operations, including the use of UK bases. The spokesperson reaffirmed that the agreement allowing the US to use UK bases remains unchanged, specifically for collective self-defense in the region and for US defensive operations targeting missile sites and capabilities threatening ships in the Strait of Hormuz.