Media: UK refuses US request to use bases for potential strike on Iran

The United Kingdom has not granted the United States permission to use its military bases for a potential strike against Iran, according to a report by The Times citing sources.

The newspaper reports that Washington is developing detailed plans for a possible military operation against Iran. The plans reportedly envisage the use of the joint UK–US base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, as well as RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, which serves as the primary European deployment hub for US heavy bombers.

However, London has not yet authorised the use of these facilities, reportedly due to concerns that a US strike on Iran could constitute a violation of international law.

According to The Times, the British government’s stance has caused dissatisfaction within the White House. On February 18, US President Donald Trump publicly criticised an agreement between the United Kingdom and Mauritius on the transfer of sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago.

The agreement was signed on May 22 last year but has yet to be ratified by the British Parliament. The deal provides for the continued operation of the joint UK–US military base on Diego Garcia for 99 years. Under its terms, the United Kingdom will pay Mauritius more than £100 million ($135 million) annually, while a strict ban on the presence of foreign security forces on the outer islands will remain in place.

On February 18, the US President wrote on the social media platform Truth Social that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer was making a “big mistake” by transferring sovereignty over the archipelago to Mauritius. Trump stressed that the British leader should avoid steps that could result in a loss of control over the base.

He further suggested that Washington might need to use the Diego Garcia base to prevent what he described as a potential attack by Iran.