Newly sworn-in U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Tuesday approved the continued use of British military bases by the United States for operations against Iran. The approval covers key facilities including Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territory, as well as RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
These operations have been classified by U.K. authorities as defensive in nature, focused on countering Iranian missile threats near the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has in recent weeks directed strikes at Iranian command centers, launch sites, and air defense systems following the breakdown of the ceasefire between the two sides. Since the resumption of hostilities — which followed Iranian attacks on commercial vessels — the U.S. has conducted military operations in Iran for 10 consecutive nights.
President Donald Trump has pushed for British support in these efforts, particularly following three U.S. fatalities in Iranian counterattacks, which marked the first U.S. fatalities since mid-April. “Should Iran decide not to make a deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the [RAF] Airfield location in Fairford [Gloucestershire], in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous regime,” the president said.
Burnham’s decision follows high-level U.K. government meetings, including discussions on Friday prior to his formal installation as prime minister. His team was kept informed of the situation, and officials prepared briefings on the U.S. position, the BBC reported.
Burnham has indicated an intention to maintain the U.K.-U.S. relationship while addressing points of difference directly.
This approach differs significantly from that pursued by his predecessor, Keir Starmer. Starmer’s government declined participation in initial U.S. air sorties earlier in 2026 but permitted the use of British bases for defensive strikes intended to degrade Iranian military capabilities and address threats to the Strait of Hormuz.
RAF Fairford has served as a launching point for U.S. missions into the Middle East under this arrangement. Burnham’s approval extends access for select operations amid the current phase of US activities.
The provision of base access alters operational considerations in the conflict. Diego Garcia offers a strategic forward location in the Indian Ocean for staging, logistics, and support of aircraft and other assets directed toward the Middle East, while RAF Fairford has previously supported long-range bomber operations.
Such access could support sustained targeting of Iranian military infrastructure, including air defenses and command structures, which in turn may affect Iran’s capacity to conduct or threaten operations in the Strait of Hormuz region.
