The UK government has approved the United States' use of military bases to attack Iranian targets in order to protect the shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, amid heavy criticism and warnings of retaliation from Iran.
On 21 March 2026 GMT+7, a spokesperson for the UK Prime Minister's Office announced that the UK government has authorized the United States to use British military bases for operations targeting Iran related to threats against the shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil transit route accounting for about 20% of the world's oil shipments.
The spokesperson stated that the recent Cabinet decision permits the US to use the bases for "defensive operations" aimed at capabilities used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz. However, the government affirmed that the UK will not take part in direct attacks and maintains its current approach, emphasizing the need to reduce tensions and end the conflict promptly.
This decision has faced strong criticism. Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch described it as a major reversal and warned that verbal conflicts among Western allies are damaging their relationships.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the UK's decision came too late and should have been made sooner. He referenced the example of military bases in the Chagos Archipelago, such as Diego Garcia.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi immediately responded by accusing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer of putting British lives at risk and reiterated that Iran reserves the right to self-defense. He also stated that most British people do not want to be involved in a US-Israel-Iran war.
Source: BBC