UK blocks Trump from using RAF bases for strikes on Iran — and he is already retaliating
The UK is blocking President Trump from using its military airbases for a possible attack on Iran – because the left-wing government believes such strikes could violate international law and does not want Britain involved, according to a new report.
Trump has already hit back by blasting the British prime minister’s plan to resolve a long-running dispute over a strategically crucial island chain in the Indian Ocean.
The White House is developing plans for a possible military strike against Iran that would involve the use of Fairford Royal Air Force base in England – which is a forward operating base for US heavy bombers, the Times reported.
Trump reportedly spoke about the plans with Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday evening, and British officials were concerned that allowing the United States to use RAF bases for a military attack could violate international law, according to the Times.
Trump made direct reference to the British base at Diego Garcia – part of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean almost 6,000 miles from Britain – as well as RAF Fairford.
He said the military facilities were needed to attack Iran if the Islamic Republic failed to reach a nuclear deal with the United States.
“If Iran decides not to make a deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia and the airfield located in Fairford in order to stamp out a potential attack from a very unstable and dangerous regime,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday.
“An attack that could potentially be launched against the UK, as well as other friendly countries. We will always be ready, willing and able to fight for the UK, but they must remain strong in the face of wokism and other issues presented to them,” he added.
Britain’s reluctance is said to be the driving force behind Trump’s sudden U-turn on a deal that would see the UK hand over control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
The deal is an attempt to resolve long-standing colonial tensions over control of the islands – but it would allow the UK to retain control of Diego Garcia and its strategically important air base with a 99-year lease.
The United States uses Diego Garcia as one of its most remote outposts for bombers and other aircraft operating in the Middle East and Asia.
Trump previously hailed the complex deal as the “best” version for Starmer earlier this month, with support from the State Department on Tuesday.
But the president withdrew his support on Wednesday following his alleged conversation with the British leader.
“Our relationship with the United Kingdom is strong and powerful, and has been for many years, but Prime Minister Starmer is losing control of this important island due to the claims of entities never heard of before. In our opinion, they are fictitious in nature,” Trump wrote.
“Prime Minister Starmer should not lose control, for whatever reason, of Diego Garcia, by entering into a precarious lease, at best 100 years,” he added. “This land should not be taken away from the UK and, if allowed to happen, it will be a blight on our great ally. »
It remains to be seen whether Starmer – a member of Britain’s liberal Labor Party whose approval ratings are currently historically low – will be able to muster enough support in Parliament to approve the Chagos Islands deal without Trump’s support.
The Chagos Archipelago is made up of around 60 islands located about 1,500 miles south of India, a position that gives the base on the island of Diego Garcia a strategic advantage due to its proximity to the Middle East and South Asia.
The archipelago has been in British possession since 1814, with the United Kingdom seeking to return the islands to their original inhabitants.
