The spokesperson said the U.K. is still working with partners to develop “a viable plan” to safeguard shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Details on any proposals have been scant so far.
Since the beginning of the Iran conflict, Starmer has been keen to stress the U.K. is on its own path, one not dictated by the U.S. This is the first time the U.K. has confirmed that U.S. bombers can use two British bases to hit Iranian missile sites that are targeting commercial shipping in the Strait.
Previously Britain had said the U.S. could use its bases to target Iranian missile sites that were attacking the U.K.’s allies in the Gulf, without citing commercial shipping.
Downing Street officials insisted on Friday night that defending shipping falls within the existing remit for cooperation with the U.S. that Starmer agreed on March 1. The prime minister has repeatedly called this remit “specific and limited” and stressed it is only for a “defensive” purpose.
The two British bases being used by American bombers are RAF Fairford in England and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
The decision will put Starmer under renewed pressure from critics of Britain’s involvement in the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran as he continues to insist — despite the Friday statement — that the U.K. is not being drawn into the wider conflict.