The UK government has approved limited US access to British airbases following an incident in which an Iranian drone crashed near an RAF base in Cyprus, marking a significant shift in policy.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the bases may be used only for specific defensive purposes. These include targeting Iranian missile depots and launchers to prevent further attacks on US and Gulf allies. Potential sites include RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia.
'The United States has requested permission to use British bases for that specific and limited defensive purpose. We have taken the decision to accept this request to prevent Iran firing missiles across the region,' UK PM Starmer said in a video message https://t.co/D2OvkHwNFn pic.twitter.com/UMduFSiAh6
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 2, 2026
Starmer spoke with Cypriot leaders and said Cyprus was not deliberately targeted, blaming indiscriminate Iranian fire. The UK also released legal advice defending the decision under international law, underscoring the seriousness of the threat.
Officials acknowledge concerns over whether US operations will remain strictly defensive, as agreed.
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TIPP Staff
