Sir Keir Starmer has barred Donald Trump from using British air bases for any U.S. strikes targeting Iranian civilian infrastructure, including bridges and power plants.
The move comes after the former U.S. president renewed threats to “unleash hell” on Iran, warning that “every bridge” and “every power plant” could be hit if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened.
Downing Street has made clear that RAF bases would only be made available for “defensive” operations, such as strikes on missile sites or weapons storage facilities. Any request involving civilian infrastructure would be rejected, according to reports.
While Washington can seek permission to use British bases on a case-by-case basis, no formal request has yet been submitted for the planned strikes. Sites including RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia remain available only under existing restrictions.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “The UK authorised the United States to use British bases for defensive missions to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities which are threatening British people, bases, and our partners in the region.
The United States is using British bases for specific defensive operations to prevent Iran firing missiles into the region, which is putting British lives at risk.
This is alongside the defensive action the UK is taking to protect British people across the region.
“We won’t be providing a running commentary on our allies’ operations, including their use of our bases.”
Trump has repeatedly shifted his deadline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, most recently extending it by one day after previously setting April 6 as the cut-off.
In a separate remark, he suggested Britain had a “long way to go” when asked whether the country could be “resurrected” like Jesus Christ.
Trump said: “We don’t want another Neville Chamberlain, do we agree? We don’t want another Neville Chamberlain.”
He told reporters: “Every bridge in Iran will be decimated by 12 o’clock tomorrow night, where every power plant in Iran will be out of business, burning, exploding and never to be used again.
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