Downing Street has authorised the United States to use British bases for a specific and limited defensive purpose: striking Iranian missile launchers and storage sites to prevent further attacks across the region. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on 1 March 2026 that the UK did not participate in the initial strikes on Iran and is not joining offensive action, while British aircraft are already flying defensive missions. (gov.uk)
Starmer said the decision rests on the collective self-defence of partners and the protection of British lives, and that a summary of the Government’s legal advice will be published. In UK practice, self‑defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter requires necessity and proportionality; the Attorney General’s 2017 address and subsequent government legal notes outline how imminence is assessed and how such actions are notified. (gov.uk)
Operationally, ministers framed the aim as eliminating the missile threat “at source”. Government statements have not identified which British bases may be used; however, reporting indicates RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia are among options under consideration. No 10 has not confirmed specific sites. (gov.uk)
The Prime Minister said Iran has launched sustained attacks across the region, including strikes on airports and hotels used by British nationals, and that an attack on a base in Bahrain narrowly missed UK personnel. He estimated that more than 200,000 British citizens are currently in the region and asked them to follow official travel advice. Starmer also said the reported death of Iran’s Supreme Leader would not halt further attacks. (gov.uk)
Consular posture has tightened in step. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office is asking British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to register their presence for direct updates. In the UAE, the FCDO currently advises sheltering in place and against all but essential travel. (gov.uk)
Coordination with European partners continues. In a joint statement on 28 February, the E3-France, Germany and the UK-condemned Iranian attacks, confirmed they did not participate in the strikes on Iran, and called for a route back to negotiations. That framing sits alongside the UK’s decision to strengthen defensive measures. (gov.uk)
Parliament’s formal role remains limited. The decision to deploy forces or enable allied operations is a prerogative power; there is no legal requirement for a Commons vote, though governments often provide a debate when time allows. The House of Commons Library and Institute for Government note inconsistent practice in recent years, while the Liberal Democrats have argued for a statutory vote before deployments. (commonslibrary.parliament.uk)
The Government has been explicit about what this move does not do. The UK is not joining offensive operations and did not take part in earlier US–Israeli strikes; the permission granted relates to defensive action intended to prevent further launches. Reporting in Washington and London has likewise characterised the decision as limited and defensive. (gov.uk)
Delivery will extend beyond basing rights. The Prime Minister said the UK will bring Ukrainian and British specialists together to help Gulf partners defeat Iranian drones, complementing ongoing regional air and missile defence efforts. He also committed to publishing a summary of the legal position, reflecting the approach taken in previous operations such as Yemen in 2024. (gov.uk)
For organisations and residents, the practical steps are immediate. Map staff locations against updated FCDO advisories, ensure registration on the FCDO presence portals where available, and prepare for disruption to travel even where evacuation is not in train. For British nationals, the government’s consistent message is to register, monitor official updates and follow local authorities’ instructions. (gov.uk)