The United Kingdom has blocked the United States from using British military bases for potential strikes against Iran.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the information was reported by The Times newspaper. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reportedly informed US President Donald Trump that London will not grant permission for military facilities located on the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean and the RAF Fairford base in England to be used for offensive operations against Iran.
The report notes that under long-standing bilateral agreements between London and Washington, these strategic bases can only be utilized for military actions against third countries with the prior explicit consent of the British government. Disagreements over the use of these British facilities have reportedly influenced US President Donald Trump's decision to withhold support for the recent agreement regarding the Chagos Archipelago.
On February 18, US President Donald Trump emphasized the necessity for the United Kingdom to maintain full control over the Diego Garcia military base in the Chagos Archipelago, noting that Washington might require the facility for potential strikes against Iran. The base is considered a critical strategic asset for US power projection in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific regions.
The diplomatic tension highlights the complexities of the "Special Relationship" between the two allies regarding Middle East policy. Diego Garcia, part of the British Indian Ocean Territory, has historically served as a vital hub for US long-range bombers and naval operations, while RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire is one of the few airfields in Europe capable of supporting US heavy strategic bombers.
