British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has rejected a request from US President Donald Trump to permit American forces to operate from key UK air bases in the event of military action against Iran, according to multiple media reports. The decision marks a rare public divergence between London and Washington at a time of heightened Middle East tensions.
The UK government reportedly declined to grant permission for US forces to use RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and the Diego Garcia military facility in the British Indian Ocean Territory as staging points for any potential strikes on Iranian targets. Under long-standing agreements, Washington must secure British consent before launching operations from bases on UK territory.
British officials are said to be wary of breaching international law by facilitating what could be considered a pre-emptive attack. Government sources told The Times that London’s legal assessment holds it could face shared liability if it knowingly assisted in an operation later judged unlawful. The Ministry of Defence has declined to comment on specific operational matters, instead reiterating support for ongoing diplomatic channels between Washington and Tehran and emphasising a priority on regional stability and preventing Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Trump, who has publicly criticised the UK’s approach to the Chagos Islands agreement — under which Britain plans to transfer sovereignty to Mauritius while retaining long-term military access to Diego Garcia — has described Starmer’s stance as “a big mistake” and urged continued strong defence cooperation. He suggested on social media that access to Diego Garcia and Fairford “may be necessary” if Iran fails to reach a diplomatic settlement.
The refusal to authorise US use of British bases has reportedly contributed to Trump’s shift in tone towards the Chagos deal, complicating its legislative progress and underscoring broader tensions in the UK-US “special relationship” as both capitals navigate the fraught diplomatic and military landscape surrounding Iran.
