The government has restated the UK’s defensive posture amid reports that Iran attempted to strike the joint US–UK facility on Diego Garcia. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said ministers are supporting regional allies facing “reckless” Iranian aggression and want a swift resolution, while avoiding wider escalation. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has likewise insisted the UK will not be drawn into the broader war. (gov.uk)
According to Associated Press, Iran launched missiles at Diego Garcia in the Chagos Archipelago but the attempt did not hit the base. Spanish outlet El País, citing Iran’s Mehr agency, reported that two ballistic missiles were fired; Western media said neither reached the target, with details still unconfirmed by militaries involved. (apnews.com)
Ministers have confirmed that US aircraft may fly from UK territory for “specific and limited” defensive operations responding to Iranian attacks, including strikes on launch sites used to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Downing Street has told Nicosia that RAF Akrotiri will not be used for these missions, while RAF Fairford has already hosted the first US bomber under the arrangement. (hansard.parliament.uk)
The policy rests on clear legal foundations. Decisions on defence and foreign affairs are exercised under the Royal Prerogative; Parliament’s role is by convention, not statute, so a Commons vote is not legally required before authorising military action or permitting allied use of UK bases. The NATO Status of Forces Agreement and the Visiting Forces Act 1952 govern the presence and jurisdiction of US visiting forces, and a 1966 UK–US agreement made the Chagos islands available for defence purposes. (commonslibrary.parliament.uk)
Opposition parties are pressing for fuller scrutiny. The House of Commons Library records that the Liberal Democrats have called for a vote on the US defensive use of UK bases, while the Green Party has demanded publication of the government’s legal advice and a Commons division on any further steps. (commonslibrary.parliament.uk)
The government has also underlined a non-escalatory approach in Cyprus. An Iranian‑made drone struck RAF Akrotiri in the early hours of 2 March, causing limited damage and no injuries; ministers later told President Nikos Christodoulides the base would not be used to target Iranian missile sites. (apnews.com)
Sovereignty over the Chagos islands is being reset by treaty. On 22 May 2025 the UK and Mauritius signed an agreement transferring sovereignty of the archipelago to Mauritius, while leasing Diego Garcia back to the UK for 99 years to maintain the joint base. The treaty was laid before Parliament and supported by an implementation bill. (gov.uk)
That agreement followed the International Court of Justice’s 2019 advisory opinion and UN General Assembly resolution 73/295, which urged the UK to end its administration of the archipelago and complete decolonisation with Mauritius. Ministers say the 2025 treaty secures the base’s future while addressing those findings. (icj-cij.org)
Whether Tehran can reliably reach Diego Garcia remains uncertain. The island lies beyond Iran’s declared 2,000‑kilometre missile limit; analysts have suggested an adapted space‑launch rocket could extend range at the expense of accuracy, while Israel’s military has claimed a two‑stage intercontinental missile was used. None of these assertions has been independently verified. (apnews.com)
For households and businesses, the energy shock is immediate. The International Energy Agency has approved a record 400‑million‑barrel emergency stock release to counter market disruption; Ofgem’s pre‑scheduled cap cut of 7% from 1 April to £1,641 offers near‑term relief for many billpayers. The chancellor has also asked the Competition and Markets Authority to stay on high alert for any unjustified rises in petrol, diesel and heating oil. (iea.org)