The United Kingdom agreed to allow the United States to use British military bases for strikes targeting Iranian positions threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer made the announcement on Friday in a statement.
FILE – British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer takes part in a panel discussion with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and moderated by Christine Amanpour during the 62nd Munich Security Conference on February 14, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Stefan Rousseau – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
“Ministers condemned Iran’s expansion of its targets to include international shipping. They agreed that Iran’s reckless strikes, including on Red Ensign vessels and those of our close allies and Gulf partners, risked pushing the region further into crisis and worsening the economic impact being felt in the UK and around the world,” the statement from 10 Downing Street, which is the home of the prime minister, noted.”They confirmed that the agreement for the US to use UK bases in the collective self-defence of the region includes US defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz,” the statement continued.
FILE – President Donald Trump waves as he boards Air Force One on March 20, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. (Photo by Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images)
The decision marks a shift for the U.K., which had initially limited the use of its bases to defensive purposes but expanded cooperation as tensions in the region escalated. The move comes amid growing pressure from President Donald Trump on European allies to take a more active role in reopening the strategic waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz — a narrow passage between the Persian Gulf and the open ocean — is one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, carrying roughly a fifth of global oil supplies under normal conditions.
The ongoing conflict has severely disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, with attacks on commercial vessels and military activity contributing to a sharp drop in shipping and rising global oil prices.
British officials have expressed caution about deeper involvement, emphasizing the need to adhere to international law and avoid further escalation, while still supporting efforts to stabilize the region.
The move underscores the widening international dimension of the conflict, as Western allies weigh how far to go in confronting Iran while balancing the risks of a broader war and continued disruptions to global energy supplies.
The head of U.S. Central Command in his latest video update on the war said U.S. forces “remain on plan to eliminate Iran’s ability to project meaningful power outside its borders.”
Adm. Brad Cooper also detailed steps taken to undermine Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway vital to international commerce such as oil shipments.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: The Associated Press contributed to this report.