UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on 1/3 that the only way to "end the threat" from Iran is to destroy missiles at their storage sites and target launchpads. He confirmed the UK's approval for the US to use British bases for "specific, limited defensive purposes."

"We decided to approve this request to prevent Iran from launching missiles across the region, killing innocent civilians, threatening British citizens, and attacking unrelated nations", Prime Minister Starmer stated, without specifying the locations of these bases. He emphasized that the UK did not participate in initial attacks on Iran and would not do so now.

Starmer explained that Iran is "pursuing a strategy of total destruction", necessitating support for the collective self-defense right of allies and people in the region. He added, "The decision not to participate in airstrikes against Iran is deliberate, especially because we believe the best approach for the region and the world is a negotiated solution".

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks at Downing Street, London on 28/2. *Photo: AFP*

In a related development, British fighter jets were deployed as part of a coordinated defense operation, "successfully intercepting Iran's attack", according to Starmer. France, Germany, and the UK had previously issued a joint statement, indicating readiness to protect their interests and allies in the Gulf region if necessary, by taking "defensive actions against Iran".

The Prime Minister also voiced concern for the "at least 200,000" British citizens in the affected Middle East region, including residents, business travelers, and tourists. He urged them to report their location and comply with the UK Foreign Office's travel advisories, which instruct citizens in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to "immediately shelter in place".

Furthermore, Starmer suggested that the threat from Iran places British armed forces at risk, citing that Tehran's attack on a military base in Bahrain "narrowly missed British soldiers".

Following Starmer's announcement, the Liberal Democrats demanded that Members of Parliament be given a vote on whether the US should be allowed to use UK bases. Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said, "No matter how the Prime Minister tries to redefine an attack as defense, this remains a slippery slope. He must not allow US President Donald Trump to drag the UK into another protracted war in the Middle East. Starmer must appear before Parliament tomorrow, present the full legal basis, and allow Members of Parliament to vote. We have a responsibility to protect British soldiers and citizens, but we must not enable illegal military action".

Green Party leader Zack Polanski also criticized the decision, stating that US actions in Iran constitute an "illegal and unprovoked attack".

Starmer is also under pressure from the Conservative Party and Reform Party, who are demanding stronger support for President Trump. The UK government, however, refused to declare support for the US-Israel military campaign and did not answer whether these actions were legal, but also did not condemn the airstrikes against Iran.

Huyen Le (According to AFP, Guardian)