BRITAIN will reportedly refuse the US access to its RAF bases to launch strikes on Iranian bridges and power plants.
US President Donald Trump has threatened to unleash “hell” on Iran as he declared he was “not worried” about committing war crimes.
He has set a deadline of 8pm EDT (1am UK time) for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and has indicated the US plans to hit civilian infrastructure like train lines and power plants.
The UK has given the US permission to use its bases to launch strikes on Iran’s defensive capabilities, such as missile silos and storage depots.
But the i newspaper reports that it would not permit RAF bases to be used for attacks on civilian infrastructure.
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It is also reported that the US has made no requests for permission to use British bases – which come on a case-by-case basis – for Trump’s so-called “Power Plant Day” and “Bridge Day” plans.
The decision from Westminster threatens to provoke yet more ire from Trump, who has repeatedly lashed out at Starmer for his limited support for the war.
Asked about the report on Tuesday, the Prime Minister's official spokesperson said: "We won’t be providing a running commentary on allies’ operations, including their use of bases.
“Just to point out that our position on this hasn’t changed. The agreement in place for the US to use UK bases for collective self-defence of the region, including US defensive operations to degrade missile sites and capabilities used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.”
He added that the UK’s “principles have been clear from day one” and were set out in “legal advice”.
An MoD spokesperson said: “The UK authorised the United States to use British bases for defensive missions to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities which are threatening British people, bases, and our partners in the region.
“The United States is using British bases for specific defensive operations to prevent Iran firing missiles into the region, which is putting British lives at risk. This is alongside the defensive action the UK is taking to protect British people across the region.
“We won’t be providing a running commentary on our allies’ operations, including their use of our bases.”
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