Britain’s Labour Party government has approved the use of British bases by the United States to conduct strikes targeting Iranian missile sites that have been used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The announcement followed a ministerial meeting to address escalating conflict in the Middle East.
A spokesman for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated that government ministers condemned Iran’s targeting of international shipping and civilian infrastructure, describing such actions as reckless and dangerous. The spokesman added, “They confirmed that the agreement for the U.S. to use UK bases in the collective self-defense of the region includes U.S. defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized the British decision, calling it “participation in aggression” and warning against targeting Iranian interests. Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper underscored that the decision was a response to Iran’s strikes on Gulf countries and its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical international shipping route for oil, gas, and fertilizer.
The economic ramifications of Iran’s actions have already been felt globally. The Bank of England warned that inflation could rise significantly due to higher wholesale energy costs. Oil and gas prices surged earlier in the week but retreated slightly on Friday, with Brent crude dropping to $108 per barrel.
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