Britain has authorised the United States to use its military bases for strikes targeting Iranian assets in the Strait of Hormuz, marking an expansion of its role in the ongoing conflict while stopping short of direct participation.
The decision, reported by the BBC on Friday, widens an earlier agreement under which Washington was permitted to operate from UK bases only to prevent Iranian missile attacks threatening British lives or interests. The updated authorisation now includes operations aimed at protecting commercial shipping in the strategically vital waterway.
In a statement, the government said the arrangement covers U.S. defence actions against missile systems and related capabilities used to target vessels in the region, framing the move as part of collective self-defence.
Despite the expanded remit, Downing Street emphasised that Britain would not take part directly in strikes on Iranian territory. Officials insisted that the government’s broader approach remains unchanged, balancing military cooperation with calls for restraint.
A government spokesperson said ministers continue to press for de-escalation and a swift end to hostilities, amid concerns that further escalation could disrupt global energy markets and draw additional actors into the conflict.
The move follows earlier friction between Washington and London over Britain’s initial reluctance to permit the use of its bases for offensive operations. U.S. president Donald Trump had publicly criticised Prime Minister Keir Starmer for withholding approval in the early stages of the war.
