The United Kingdom has refused a U.S. request to allow American forces to use British military bases for a possible strike on Iran, British media and defense reporting confirmed, dealing a diplomatic setback to President Donald Trump’s military planning amid escalating tensions with Tehran.
According to reports first published by The Times and corroborated by other outlets, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government declined to grant permission for U.S. forces to use key facilities including Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean and Royal Air Force Base Fairford in England’s Gloucestershire for any pre-emptive military action against Iran. The bases are strategic refueling and staging posts for U.S. aircraft.
The decision reportedly stems from legal and policy concerns in London that allowing American use of the facilities for offensive operations against Iran could violate international law and entangle the UK in a conflict for which it has not given formal authorization.
President Trump had publicly referenced the possible use of British bases as part of a broader military posture against Iran. On social media, Trump wrote that if Iran “decide[s] not to make a Deal,” it might be “necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the Airfield located in Fairford,” to counter what he described as a “highly unstable and dangerous Regime.”
Trump’s request came amid a buildup of U.S. naval and air assets in the Middle East region as part of pressure on Tehran during ongoing diplomatic negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. The U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group and other warships have been deployed off the Iranian coast, and Trump has signaled consideration of a “limited strike” if talks fail.
Starmer’s decision has added strain to U.S.–UK defense cooperation at a time when Trump has angrily criticized a separate diplomatic agreement that would transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands including Diego Garcia from the UK to Mauritius.
Trump posted that the deal was a “big mistake” and warned against the handover of British control.
The UK government has defended the Chagos agreement as a legal resolution of a long-running sovereignty dispute, and the U.S. State Department has affirmed support for continued defense cooperation under the new arrangements ahead of ongoing bilateral meetings.
Retired U.S. military and intelligence figures expressed disappointment over the denial of base use. Former CIA Director General David Petraeus said it was “very disappointing” that U.S. forces may lack access to the strategically located island bases for refueling and recovery during potential operations.
The denial underscores the limits of allied military integration when decisions involve potential offensive action, and it highlights diplomatic sensitivity in the relationship between London and Washington amid high tensions with Tehran.
