British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Sunday a more active UK involvement in the war against Iran, stating that British fighters have 'successfully intercepted Iranian bombings.' He noted that the Persian Gulf countries—whom he called 'our partners'—have requested the UK 'do more to defend them,' and that this increased involvement is a response to that request. Additionally, he said he has granted the United States the use of British bases (he did not specify which ones) for specific defensive purposes, including attacks on Iranian bases, 'because the only way to deter the threat is to destroy the missiles at their source, in their warehouses or on their launchers,' Starmer specified. Those missiles that Iran is firing across the region are killing innocent civilians, putting Britons at risk, and attacking countries unrelated to this conflict, reasoned Starmer. In this way, Starmer denied reports that the UK had denied the use of those bases to US aviation, in an apparent attempt to maintain a certain neutrality in this conflict. This increased involvement in the war—although Starmer did not use the word—is 'in accordance with international law,' he emphasized, and then published a briefing paper to support that claim, stating it is based on Article 51 of the UN Charter. Shortly before making these statements, the UK, France, and Germany had issued a joint communiqué showing their willingness to attack Iran. 'We will take measures to defend our interests and those of our allies in the region, potentially allowing the necessary and proportionate defensive actions to destroy Iran's ability to launch missiles and drones at their source,' the three countries said in a joint statement.
