Iran: PM Starmer endangers British lives with base policy

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer of endangering British lives by allowing the United States to use British military bases for strikes against Iran, as tensions escalate in the Middle East.

In a post on social media platform X, Araghchi wrote:

“Vast majority of the British People do not want any part in the Israel-U.S. war of choice on Iran. Ignoring his own People, Mr. Starmer is putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran. Iran will exercise its right to self-defense.”

The remarks come after London approved Washington’s request to use UK bases for operations targeting Iranian missile sites linked to attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

The British government has authorised the United States to use military bases in the UK to carry out strikes on Iranian missile sites targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

British ministers met the same day to discuss the conflict with Iran and the disruption caused by Tehran’s actions in the key shipping route.

The statement confirmed the scope of the agreement, noting: "They confirmed that the agreement for the U.S. to use UK bases in the collective self-defence of the region includes U.S. defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz."

Starmer had earlier said Britain would not be drawn into war with Iran and initially rejected a U.S. request to use British bases, citing the need to ensure any military action was lawful. However, he later shifted his position following Iranian strikes on British allies in the Middle East, allowing access to bases including RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia.

U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly criticised Starmer’s approach since the conflict began. He said there were "some countries that greatly disappointed me" before singling out Britain, which he said had once been considered "the Rolls-Royce of allies".

By Aghakazim Guliyev