Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
The United Kingdom has declined to grant the United States permission to use British-controlled military bases for a potential strike on Iran, exposing a rare but significant rift between Washington and London as military tensions rise across the Middle East.
According to reports in The Times and other British media, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has not authorized the use of RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire or the joint UK–US facility on Diego Garcia for offensive operations against Tehran. Under longstanding agreements, American forces must secure advance approval from Downing Street before launching combat missions from British territory.
The issue has reportedly angered US President Donald Trump, who has publicly warned that Iran faces severe consequences if nuclear negotiations fail within days. Speaking at a recent foreign policy event in Washington, Trump suggested the US may have to “take it a step further” if talks collapse, adding that developments would become clear “over the next probably 10 days.”
The White House is said to have drawn up contingency plans that could involve strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, ballistic missile sites and military infrastructure. US military assets have surged into the region in recent weeks, including additional fighter jets, refueling aircraft and naval deployments. A second carrier strike group centered on the USS Gerald R. Ford is expected to reinforce American naval presence in the eastern Mediterranean, joining forces already positioned near the Arabian Sea.
RAF Fairford, which hosts US heavy bombers in Europe, and Diego Garcia, a strategically located Indian Ocean outpost, are considered critical staging points for long-range strike capabilities. However, British officials are reportedly concerned that a pre-emptive attack lacking clear evidence of an imminent threat could breach international law.
The legal sensitivity echoes debates preceding the 2003 Iraq war, when the UK government wrestled with the interpretation of self-defense under international law. Current British officials have reiterated that any military operation launched from UK soil must comply with domestic and international legal obligations.
The dispute comes at a delicate diplomatic moment. Trump recently criticized Britain’s agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing back Diego Garcia for continued military use. The deal, announced last year, would grant Mauritius sovereignty while allowing Britain to retain control of the base under a long-term lease arrangement. Trump publicly questioned the wisdom of such arrangements, warning that strategic assets should not be “given away” amid rising global instability.
Meanwhile, nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran have stalled following recent meetings in Geneva. Vice President JD Vance indicated that Iran has not acknowledged American “red lines” regarding uranium enrichment and regional conduct. Iranian officials, for their part, have sought more time while rejecting what they describe as coercive diplomacy.
Regional tensions have been further inflamed by Iranian military maneuvers. Tehran recently conducted naval drills with Russia in the Gulf of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean, exercises it described as aimed at strengthening maritime security and operational coordination. Iranian forces have also demonstrated their ability to disrupt the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil transit route, underscoring the economic stakes of any confrontation.
Israel is closely monitoring developments. Israeli defense officials have reportedly accelerated contingency planning should Washington decide to strike. With a fleet of more than 200 combat aircraft, Israel possesses the capacity to conduct independent or coordinated operations against Iranian targets, particularly nuclear and missile facilities.
Within Europe, concern is mounting. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged Polish nationals to leave Iran immediately, warning that safe exit routes could close quickly if hostilities begin. Other European governments are reviewing evacuation and contingency plans for citizens in the region.
Despite the military build-up, US officials maintain that diplomacy remains the preferred outcome. Trump has repeatedly stated that he seeks to avoid war, arguing that peace is less costly than prolonged conflict. Yet his administration has made clear that failure to secure a “meaningful deal” would prompt decisive action.
For Britain, the decision to withhold base access reflects a balancing act between preserving the “special relationship” with Washington and adhering to its interpretation of international law. Officials in London emphasize that a political process between the US and Iran is ongoing and that preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains a shared objective.
Whether diplomacy prevails or military options advance may depend on the coming days of negotiations. With carrier groups positioned, air assets deployed and regional allies on alert, the standoff has entered a critical phase that could reshape security dynamics across the Middle East and beyond.
