UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has approved the continued use of British military bases by the United States for military aggression against Iran, maintaining a policy established under his predecessor, Keir Starmer.
The decision revealed on Tuesday followed a meeting of senior ministers and “security officials” held before Burnham took office, during which officials agreed that the United States could continue using the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean and RAF Fairford in England for operations the UK describes as “defensive.”
Burnham, who became prime minister earlier this week, was briefed on those discussions after taking office and endorsed the policy.
The decision means British military facilities are expected to support, what London insists to describe as, “some” ongoing US strikes.
Following his appointment, Burnham discussed the situation with US President Donald Trump in a phone call.
He reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to, what the allies have consistently described as, “protecting maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.”
Iran and the US signed a memorandum of understanding last month to end the cycle of hostilities arising from the latest bout of unprovoked American-Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic, which began on February 28 and enjoyed similar British support.
Under the understanding, Iran agreed to allow fee-free maritime transit through the strait for a period of 60 days.
In compliance with the MoU, the Islamic Republic devised a special maritime route for vessels to cross the chokepoint, warning vessels against using illegal routes.
The US has, however, been trying to escort transit through the strait along an illegal passageway, prompting the Islamic Republic to shut the corridor until Washington ended its interference in regional maritime movement.
The UK’s confirmation of ongoing contribution to American aggression against the Islamic Republic came after another hostile decision by the British government to designate the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) under Britain’s so-called “State Threats legislation.”
