Newly appointed UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has approved the use of British military bases by the US for what the UK calls defensive strikes against Iran, Bloomberg reported. This is a continuation of the policy of his predecessor Keir Starmer as the war in the Middle East continues to escalate.
Get breaking news anytime, anywhere. Download the TOI app now!
Starmer led a meeting of senior ministers and officials on Friday to discuss British policy following the resumption of US operations earlier this month, according to people familiar with the matter. Ministers decided to continue the existing policy that bases at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire could be used by US planes flying missions aimed at countering the Iranian missile threat and targeting sites used to threaten the Strait of Hormuz.
Burnham, who became prime minister on Monday, was informed of the discussion and agreed with the decision, the people said, speaking on condition of anonymity to Bloomberg.
The decision means British bases are likely to be used for some of the current round of American operations, which entered their 10th day on Wednesday. US Central Command said it targeted Iranian military command centres, launch sites and air defences overnight.
Balancing act
The decisions taken by Starmer proved politically difficult as he came under pressure from the British left to prevent the bases from being used, and from Trump to expand the UK's role supporting the war.
Trump's remarks threatening to attack Iranian civilian infrastructure such as bridges and power plants have also concerned UK officials who worry about the legal implications of any such strikes.
Burnham is likely to face criticism from the left-wing Green Party and the Liberal Democrats, who both oppose the use of the bases because, in their view, it makes the UK complicit in war crimes.
The new premier's decision may help explain Trump's relatively warm comments about him entering 10 Downing Street. Burnham spoke to Trump by phone after becoming premier on Monday. "The prime minister outlined the UK's commitment to securing the movement of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz," according to a readout from his office.
Trump posted favourably on Truth Social about the call. "We discussed North Sea Oil, Trade, the Military Alliance, Demining of the Hormuz Strait, and many other topics. The call was interesting, and went very well," he wrote.
