UK Blocks US Access to Key Airbases for Possible Iran Strikes, Trump Warns of Consequences

London / Washington — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reportedly refused US President Donald Trump’s request to use British air bases for potential strikes against Iran, citing international law concerns, according to multiple UK media reports.

The move, first reported by The Times of London and confirmed by BBC, The Guardian, and The Telegraph, involves RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia — two crucial US military staging points used for strategic bombers.

British officials fear allowing US forces to use the bases could violate international law, which holds that states assisting in an “internationally wrongful act” could be held accountable.

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Bases Key to US Military Operations

Diego Garcia hosts the US heavy bomber fleet, while RAF Fairford serves as a forward operating base for strategic aircraft in Europe. Using these bases would significantly reduce flight times for US bombers, facilitating faster rearming and refueling during a potential multi-week campaign against Iran.

Analysts say the US could rely on other regional bases, but that would expose aircraft to greater risk from Iranian missile strikes. Last year’s one-off B-2 bomber strike on Iranian nuclear sites operated from Missouri, taking about 37 hours for a round trip, highlighting the logistical importance of overseas bases.

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US-UK Rift Over Chagos Islands Deal

Tensions are compounded by a proposed UK-Mauritius agreement over the Chagos Islands, home to Diego Garcia. The islands were separated from Mauritius before its independence, sparking decades of legal and diplomatic disputes. London has offered a 99-year lease on the base to maintain military access while complying with International Court of Justice rulings on decolonization.

Trump has publicly criticised the deal on social media, claiming Starmer is “making a big mistake” in agreeing to cede sovereignty, while the US State Department maintains it supports the UK-Mauritius agreement.

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Starmer Prioritises Legal Constraints and Diplomacy

The UK Ministry of Defence declined to comment on operational matters. A government spokesperson emphasised support for ongoing political processes: “There is a political process ongoing between the US and Iran, which the UK supports. Iran must never be able to develop a nuclear weapon, and our priority is security in the region.”

Veterans Minister Al Carns noted that foreign military use of UK bases is assessed case by case, with legal and policy considerations at the forefront.

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Trump Signals Frustration

Trump referenced RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia on his Truth Social account, warning that using the bases might be “necessary… to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous regime.” Analysts interpret this as a signal that the US may escalate military options despite UK restrictions.

The dispute underscores the challenges in US-UK coordination on Middle East security amid ongoing tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme and regional influence.