UK Has Not Given US Permission to Use RAF Bases for Iran Strikes

Published: 20 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

The United Kingdom has not granted the United States permission to use British Royal Air Force (RAF) bases as staging points for potential military strikes against Iran, diplomatic sources and defence reporting confirm, a development that has added a new layer of tension between the long‑standing allies as relations strain over the escalating Middle East crisis.

Under longstanding defence agreements, American aircraft can operate from British military facilities — most notably RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, home to U.S. heavy bombers, and the joint UK‑US base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean — but only after explicit approval from the UK government. That clearance has not yet been given for any potential operations targeting Iran, according to reports.

The decision comes against a backdrop of rising tensions between Washington and Tehran as U.S. officials escalate pressure on Iran over its nuclear programme. President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned Tehran that failure to reach a diplomatic agreement could lead to military action, publicly noting that a deal with Iran must materialise within days or risk “bad consequences.” In parallel, the U.S. has been reinforcing its military presence in the Middle East, deploying warships, aircraft and strike groups.

However, British authorities have expressed caution over associating directly with a potential offensive. Officials are understood to be concerned that permission for U.S. planes to launch strikes from UK sovereign territory could expose Britain to legal and diplomatic risks, particularly if any such action is later judged to breach international law. As a result, London has held off on granting authorisation — even as it continues diplomatic engagement on Iran’s nuclear file.

The dispute over base access also intersects with disagreements over the future control of the Chagos Islands, where the Diego Garcia base is located. Trump has criticised the UK government’s 2025 agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius, warning that the strategic facilities there could be critical in any future U.S. operations. London has defended the deal, saying it secures long‑term access while avoiding costly legal challenges.

While the UK has declined to provide bases for offensive action, it has reinforced its own defensive posture in the region. The Royal Air Force recently deployed F‑35 jets to Cyprus and Typhoon aircraft to Qatar, positioning assets to respond if tensions escalate or if the conflict expands beyond Iranian borders.

British leaders have emphasised that their priority remains diplomatic efforts to avoid military confrontation. A government spokesperson noted that the UK supports efforts to resolve the crisis through negotiation and that no role in military operations has been authorised from British territory at this stage.

The refusal to grant permission for U.S. forces to launch strikes from UK bases underscores the complexity of allied relations at a time when strategic alignment is far from certain. With diplomatic talks ongoing and military postures shifting, the UK’s cautious approach reflects both legal concerns and a desire to avoid entanglement in direct combat operations that could have far‑reaching consequences.

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