UK PM Andy Burnham approves US use of British bases for Iran strikes

Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed that the United Kingdom will continue to permit U.S. forces to operate from British military facilities for What London calls “defensive” strikes against Iran. The authorization covers RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and the Diego Garcia airfield in the British Indian Ocean Territory, where U.S. aircraft have been deployed to counter Iranian missile threats and protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Burnham’s decision, announced shortly after he took office, follows the policy set by his predecessor Keir Starmer, which was adopted after the cease‑fire collapsed and the United States began a series of nightly strikes. The move comes amid pressure from President Donald Trump for expanded U.S. use of the bases and domestic criticism from UK left‑wing parties that the policy makes Britain complicit in the conflict. Burnham discussed the issue with Trump by phone, reaffirming Britain’s commitment to regional security while maintaining the “defensive” framing of the operations.