Andy Burnham, the United Kingdom’s new prime minister, has authorized the United States to continue using British military bases for limited operations against Iran. With this approval, he is maintaining the course pursued by his predecessor, Keir Starmer.
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As reported by i24news.tv, Burnham officially took office on July 20 following Starmer’s resignation. Before he became prime minister, the British government had convened senior ministers and security officials, who agreed that the US should continue using the Diego Garcia military base in the Indian Ocean and RAF Fairford airbase in England.
After being briefed on the decision, the new head of government gave his consent for the policy to remain in place. London describes missions conducted through these bases as operations “of a defensive nature.” Washington, meanwhile, says the strikes are intended to eliminate threats from Iranian missiles and ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The approval is expected to trigger strong opposition within British politics. Left-wing parties and representatives have raised concerns that making UK bases available for US operations could make the country partly responsible for the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East.
At the same time, the British government is seeking to maintain a balance between its strategic alliance with the United States and the political and legal dilemmas surrounding the possibility of the conflict expanding across the region.
Shortly after taking office, Burnham spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump. The two leaders discussed defense cooperation, trade relations, and regional security issues. During the call, the British prime minister reaffirmed London’s commitment to protecting maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.
The continuation of this policy is seen as one of the first major tests of Andy Burnham’s approach to foreign policy. The decision comes as tensions in the Middle East remain high and the British government faces pressure on multiple fronts, both internationally and on the domestic political stage.
