Burnham approves US use of UK bases for some strikes on Iran, Bloomberg reports

What Happened

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham approved the US military's continued use of British bases at Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford for 'defensive' airstrikes on Iran, according to Bloomberg sources who spoke on condition of anonymity. The decision, taken after a Friday meeting of senior ministers and officials under Burnham's predecessor Keir Starmer, extends a policy initiated by Starmer in early March. Burnham was briefed and agreed to the continuation. The approval comes as US Central Command (Centcom) conducts an 11th consecutive night of strikes on Iranian cities, including Bushehr, Tabriz, and Chabahar, claiming to target operations centres, logistics infrastructure, maritime capabilities, aircraft hangars, and drone storage. In response, Iran has launched retaliatory strikes on US-allied neighbours, including Jordan, Bahrain, Syria, and Kuwait.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The decision deepens UK military entanglement in the US–Iran conflict and raises significant legal and diplomatic risks. It ties the UK directly to strikes that have caused civilian casualties, including the Minab school attack for which a Pentagon investigation found US responsibility. The policy may violate international humanitarian law, according to Human Rights Watch, and could provoke further Iranian retaliation against Western interests. Domestically, it is likely to face political and legal backlash, while straining UK relations with Iran and regional actors.

Watch For

Parliamentary debates or legal challenges in the UK over the legality of base usage; further details from the Pentagon on the Minab school strike investigation; escalation in Iranian retaliatory strikes on US-allied states; reactions from the E3, EU, UN, and GCC; and any broadening of the US bombing campaign, particularly if targeting expands to the Strait of Hormuz.