Trump to use British bases for ‘surge’ in Iran attacks

[Twiglets1]

The Telegraph:

America will use British bases to “dramatically” increase the number of strikes on Iran, the US defence secretary has said.

Pete Hegseth said it was “unfortunate” that Britain did not initially approve the use of its bases – including Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands – from the beginning. “But we got there,” he said.

Due in part to Britain’s decision, other countries’ bases and the deployment of more warplanes, “the amount of firepower over Iran and over Tehran is about to surge dramatically,” Mr Hegseth said.

“When we say more to come, it’s more fighter squadrons, it’s more capabilities, it’s more defensive capabilities, and it’s more bomber pulses more frequently.

Sir Keir Starmer relaxed rules on the US use of British bases after Iran began firing indiscriminately at allies across the region. However, he also called on Donald Trump to reach a negotiated settlement with Iran.

The Prime Minister is under growing pressure over his handling of the crisis and faces accusations that he has not done enough to support allies in the region.

On Thursday, the US president refused to deny reports that he had described Sir Keir as a “loser” and repeated that he was “no Winston Churchill.”

www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/06/iran-war-latest-news-trump-israel-hezbollah/

Also reported that British Wildcat helicopters will be arriving in Cyprus today.

The helicopters are equipped with Martlet missiles capable of intercepting and destroying drones.

Luke Pollard, the minister for defence readiness, says the helicopters have the capacity to “take out Iranian drones that are threatening not only our UK bases but also our allies.”

The bullies are bullying.

Given that there has been not confirmation of this from the UK Government side, I have to have my doubts on it's authenticity.

You see it as bullying, whereas I see it as consequence.

It is entirely up to the UK Government whether it provides access to its airbase to the US military. There are pros (not pissing off the US) and cons to it and it is for the British government to decide which way they decide. But it is clear that the US military wants to have such access, otherwise they wouldn't ask for it.

Similarly the Argentina Government under Milei, who has close relations with Trump has frequently asked to purchase modern military jets and missiles from the US. The UK, out of concern for the Falkland Islands, has objected and successfully blocked such sales to date. Clearly for the US there are pros (military sales to a friendly country) and cons (pissing off the Brits). But it is up to the US Government which way to decide.

Sadly given the Labour government treatment of the Chagossians, I strongly doubt that they give a shit about the wishes of the Falkland Islanders either.

Then will cry about being invaded, if Iran collapses into chaos and refugees flee to their country. Let alone if other blowback happens.

You mean if the regime collapses?

Sorry - which part hasn't been confirmed by the UK government?

That the UK has authorised US use of UK air bases for "offensive " operations rather than just "defensive " operations.

But how the hell you define what is a defensive or offensive operation or how you know what a US military jet gets up to after leaving RAF Fairford is beyond me.

I think the UK government will still maintain that they have only authorised US use of their air bases for defensive operations. They could say it's defensive if action is taken to prevent Iran firing indiscriminately at allies across the region.

I agree it is hard to really define what is defensive or offensive though.

A huge US bomber capable of carrying 24 cruise missiles has landed in the UK.

The 146ft (44.5m) B-1 Lancer arrived at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Friday.

^Piloted by a crew of four, the aircraft has a wingspan of 137ft (41.8m), weighs 86 tonnes and is the fastest bomber in the US Air Force, according to Boeing, hitting speeds of more than 900mph (1,448.4km/h).^

With the Gulf States having found themselves increasingly targeted by Iran in the conflict, Sir Keir spoke to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Friday.

Sir Keir assured the kingdom's de facto leader that the UK "stood ready to support the defence of the kingdom" if needed, a Downing Street spokeswoman confirmed.

The prime minister said "additional British fighter jets, helicopters and a destroyer were being sent to the region", the spokeswoman said.

"The leaders also discussed stepping up intelligence cooperation to support defensive operations and protect civilians."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c75ekve9yq9o

I find the UK stance irresponsible. It was dragged into a war for the interests of other nations, at a time it does not have the capacity to even protect its own sea borders at home.
Greece is sending warships and planes to protect RAF akrotiri because its completely undefended.
This will eventually spread the conflict to Europe and beyond.

The Guardian are also reporting on the story of the huge American bomber aircraft that has landed in Britain.

The bomber – nicknamed “the Bone” – is capable of carrying 24 cruise missiles and up to 34 tonnes of weapons and equipment.

British foreign secretary David Lammy has suggested RAF jets could legally strike Iranian missile sites being used to attack UK interests in the Middle East.

Well he might as well use them. It’s not like we do.

Starmer took too long to agree this and he did it as he was worried about a leadership challenge, and that’s a shit way to run a country.

on one side, I do think he needs to stay in position, as the alternate will be worse, but he needs to show he’s got some balls on him, as he looks weak and indecisive and that’s just going to ramp up his issues. When you look weak the bullies will slither out in his party,

i think it is right we support the USA on this, there may come a time we need them, and quite frankly I think the us should go in hard and put an end to this.

this isn’t about Iran, trump doesn’t give a flying shit about Iran or democracy in Iran, that was the other gulf states issue , he gives a shit about China, and China is irans closest ally,90 percent of irans oil goes to China, and it goes via a route the Americans can’t see or control, all Irans defence systems are now Chinese, and what’s happening weakens China, the world is watching as they stand back and let their close ally burn, a huge diplomatic issue, as well as the fact the Iranian oil will go. Trump wants a pro America leader in Iran, to significantly weaken China,

china is challenging America to be the new world super power, and trump is putting them back in their place and weakening them. That’s what this is about.

And China can’t act, as they won’t get oil from any gulf state if they do, collapsing their economy, and they’d be taking on America If they did.

starmer made a huge mistake delaying here, enormous. He should have not even waited to be asked, but offered it up. The damage he’s done by being weak and worrying about his own position, could be significant. He has got there in the end, but he has played a key role in the escalation of this.

I can see how the government have manoeuvred themselves into trying to make such a fine distinction, but ‘defensive’ vs ‘offensive’ is nonsense isn’t it?

You’re either doing a war or you’re not. If you are, then you attack stuff until you’ve achieved your goal. You can’t run every move past HR.

It's a beautiful plane. A magnificent piece of engineering.

I agree it’s a fine distinction.

It’s very hard for Starmer who will get criticised whatever he does or doesn’t do. I don’t disagree with his stance but think in reality the lines will get blurred between defensive & offensive.

On the news it’s saying Iran has apologised and said it will stop attacking its neighbours. They will have to as runnin out of armaments.

China will also be advising them, but trump wont stop until full surrender and a new leader who is American leaning in place, he can’t, or its all been pointless for him, he was never doing this for Irans people . He needs them to stop supporting China. So until he gets them to stop doing that, a new leader who supports the USA, then they will continue to attack Iran.

Trump appears to have the role of president of America, Europe, parts of the Middle east.
He can build ballrooms, admire the views, abuse female reporters,organise invasions, steal presidents, bomb countries. he’s entertaining to say the least. Crazy.

Has Iran apologised though? Which news did you read/hear that on? It seems so unlikely!

It’s on sky now.

Apologised to its neighbours.

Ah!

There are 750,000 Greeks living in Cyprus and Greece is right next to it. Akitori is not undefended. There are several dozen typhoons and surface to air missiles based there.

What do the Greeks have to do with defending a British base?