A top Iranian official has warned that British lives have been put “in danger” after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer gave the United States permission to strike Iranian missile sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz from UK bases.
UK ministers agreed to the move on Friday, March 20 after previously limiting the US to only using the bases to hit missile sites targeting British interests in the region.
Iran has targeted a joint US-UK military base with ballistic missiles shortly after the UK’s decision, according to reports.
The Middle East has been in conflict for three weeks after the US and Israel carried out joint strikes several key Iranian sites on February 28. Iran retaliated by striking sites across the Middle East.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said “Iran will exercise its right to self-defence.”
He said in a post on X: “Vast majority of the British People do not want any part in the Israel-US war of choice on Iran.”
“Ignoring his own People, Mr Starmer is putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran. Iran will exercise its right to self-defence.”
Early on Saturday, the Wall Street Journal reported Iran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia, but neither of the missiles hit the base.
Mr Trump said on Friday that the UK “should have acted a lot faster” in giving the US permission to use its bases.
Sir Keir Starmer had previously granted the US permission only for “defensive” action against Iranian missile sites from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Mr Trump said: “It’s been a very late response from the UK.”
“I’m surprised because the relationship is so good, but this has never happened before.”
“They were really pretty much our first ally, all over the world.”
Referring to Diego Garcia, he said: “They didn’t want us to use the island, the so-called island, which for some reason they gave up rights to it.
“I was a little surprised in the UK, to be honest. They should have acted a lot faster.”
Posting on his Truth Social platform on Friday evening, Mr Trump said the Strait of Hormuz “will have to be guarded and policed” by “other Nations who use it – The United States does not!”
“If asked, we will help these countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldn’t be necessary once Iran’s threat is eradicated,” he said, adding: “Importantly, it will be an easy Military Operation for them.
“We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran.”
