UK blocking Trump from using RAF bases for strikes on Iran [View all]

Source: The Times

President Trump has withdrawn his support for Sir Keir Starmer’s deal to hand the Chagos Islands over to Mauritius because the UK has not agreed to allow the use of British bases to attack Iran, The Times understands.

The White House is drawing up detailed military plans for a strike against Iran involving the use of both Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, which is home to America’s fleet of heavy bombers in Europe. Under the terms of long-standing agreements with Washington, these bases can only be used for military operations that have been agreed in advance with the government.

The Times understands that the UK is yet to give permission for the US to use the bases in the event that Trump orders a strike on Iran, owing to concerns that it would be a breach of international law which makes no distinction between a state carrying out the attack and those in support if the latter have “knowledge of the circumstances of the internationally wrongful act”.

The president spoke to the prime minister on Tuesday night, and the two men discussed Trump’s ultimatum to Iran over its nuclear programme. The following day, Trump made his statement attacking the Chagos deal.


Read more: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/trump-chagos-islands-deal-iran-attack-british-bases-kcj0gzbr8