The British government has partially reversed its stance, now allowing the United States military to use UK bases for airstrikes aimed at clearing the Strait of Hormuz of Iranian obstacles. This policy shift was announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office just hours after President Donald Trump publicly called European allies “cowards” for their refusal to “help open” the crucial waterway.
Trump had been quite vocal about his frustration, especially after Iran began attacking oil tankers in retaliation to Operation Epic Fury. He’s been pushing hard for allies to step up, and it seems his blunt criticism hit home in London. The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial waterway, responsible for a fifth of the world’s oil exports, and it’s been effectively closed by Iran since Trump launched a joint US-Israeli attack on the country back on February 28.
