UK allows US to use its bases to attack Iranian sites targeting Strait of Hormuz

Riyadh, March 20, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Britain authorised the United States on Friday to use military bases in Britain for strikes on Iranian missile sites linked to attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, after British ministers met to review the conflict with Iran and the disruption of shipping through the waterway.

Downing Street confirmed that the UK-U.S. arrangement on collective self-defence in the region also covers American defensive action against the missile infrastructure being used in those attacks.

“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,” the statement said.

The approval marked a change in position by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had stated earlier this week that Britain would not be drawn into a war over Iran and had initially withheld authorisation while legal questions were being examined.

London later allowed the United States to use RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia, a joint U.S.-UK base in the Indian Ocean, after Iranian strikes hit British allies across the Middle East.

The decision came after public criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who had pressed Britain to take a stronger position since the conflict began and this week singled out London among allies he said had disappointed Washington.

Downing Street also called for “urgent de-escalation and a swift resolution to the war.”