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Prime Minister Keir Starmer has allowed US strikes on Iran from UK bases, after President Trump slammed his allies as “cowards” for refusing to help re-open the Strait of Hormuz.
Starmer announced the U-turn hours after President Trump took to Truth Social to call out America’s European allies.
Previously, Starmer had denied the US access to UK bases, unless Iran was targeting British interests, like when RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus was attacked.
“The agreement for the US to use UK bases in the collective self-defence [sic] of the region includes US defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz,” Starmer’s office said in a statement.
“Ministers condemned Iran’s expansion of its targets to include international shipping. They agreed that Iran’s reckless strikes, including on Red Ensign vessels and those of our close allies and Gulf partners, risked pushing the region further into crisis and worsening the economic impact being felt in the UK and around the world.”
The statement concluded, “The UK remains committed to defending our people, our interests and our allies, acting in accordance with international law and not getting drawn into the wider conflict. Ministers underlined the need for urgent de-escalation and a swift resolution to the war.”
A few hours earlier, President Trump said NATO was a “paper tiger” without the US.
“Without the U.S.A., NATO IS A PAPER TIGER!” Trump said.
“They didn’t want to join the fight to stop a nuclear-powered Iran.
“Now that fight is Militarily WON, with very little danger for them, they complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but don’t want to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a simple military maneuver that is the single reason for the high oil prices. So easy for them to do, with so little risk. COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!”
Trump had initially suggested providing US navy escorts for ships to pass through the vital Strait of Hormuz, with a US-government-backed reinsurance program.
In a joint statement on Thursday, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and Canada suggested they might offer assistance for such a scheme.
“We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait,” the sextet said. “We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning.”
On Thursday, it was announced that the US had deployed new aircraft to the Strait to protect shipping, including low-flying A-10 Thunderbolt planes and AH-64 Apaches.
A Marine Corps expeditionary group will arrive in the region before the end of the month.
