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/

We should very much stay out of the whole thing..

No it was confirmed as Hezbollah

Some posters might not realise that Hezbollah, Hamas and The Houthis are Iran's proxies. I think its easier to just blame Israel for everything 🤔

Agreed. Why on Earth is KS bloody faffing about at a community centre in Wales this morning, when Macron has just landed in Cyprus?

It comes to something when France are happily exercising more military muscle than the UK!

It's deeply embarrassing how insipid the UK are being and how depleted our military has become! Presumably, engineers are still trying to bloody jump start HMS Dragon?

All the decades of underfunding our armed forces, whilst happy to shelter under the military might of the USA. Then when the USA requests to use our bases we go all coy and righteous FFS.

Trump will not forget this and after this is over he will punish the UK economically.

I think the UK and most other countries (apart from Russia) will be punished due to the economic consequences of this war.
Russia will get sanctions lifted and will be in a better position to attack Ukraine.

Why do you keep spelling Israel in such an odd manner?

it makes me think that ‘antis emetic’ is deliberate too

It’s to deny the reality of antisemitism & also Israel as a country.

It seems to me like a victim hood card that is used to divert attention from matters of enacted gen 0cide (according to several national governments), the disregard for international law and the abuse of human life inside an open-prison.

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/israel-defense-minister-human-animals-gaza-palestine_n_6524220ae4b09f4b8d412e0a

Israeli Defense Minister Announces Siege On Gaza To Fight ‘Human Animals’

B-52s arrive at UK air base amid conflict with Iran

The B-52 bombers that arrived at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire earlier measure 160ft (49m) and are capable of launching missiles more than 1,500 miles (2414km).

They join a fleet of US military planes now stationed at the base after a B-1 Lancer bomber arrived on Friday evening, followed by two more on Saturday.

Air activity has increased significantly at RAF Fairford in the last 72 hours, with the United States putting in some of its heavy-duty bomber forces.

This is the first time B-52s have been seen in the UK during this current conflict.
The B‑52, piloted by a crew of five, is one of the US Air Force's longest‑serving and most versatile heavy bombers and can carry up to 70,000 pounds (31,751kg) of mixed weapons.

It first flew in 1952, yet remains a core part of the United States' strategic power today due to its capacity, long range, and flexibility.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c93w2kgvkvgo

I saw reports claiming us aircrafts departed the UK for direct strikes against Iran. Offensive ones.
This surely opens us up to liability and makes us a legit target.

If they are attacking missile or drone production and launch sites does that make the strikes offensive or defensive?

TBH regardless of the above I doubt the Iranian regime has a list somewhere of legit targets.

We knew the US were going to use RAF Fairford as a launch pad and they weren't moving their planes there just to look good.

Starmer has made it clear that UK bases are to be used for defensive actions only. The UK would not be a legitimate target because it isn't directly involved in the war.

Well, Iran was attacked so whoever did the first strike is the aggressor. Could be Isr a el, could be Us.
So Iran is in defense, the west is in offense. The UK is helping the aggressor.

Apart from that though, this 'war' or preemptive deterrence or whatever you want to call it is Illegal. Cannot underscore this enough.
The humanitarian disasters, environmental pollution, attacks on schools, hospitals, residential areas, oil depositories could all be classed as war crimes.
Is that something we could argue is defensive strikes?

Don't forget it appears Iran started chucking missiles and drones at places like the UAE without direct provocation from those states so in the context of that ordnance I'd suggest despite your take on it there's no clear case of "you started it"....

You've been called out before on deliberately not writing the word Israel properly, and had a post deleted by MN. Your posts are also inflammatory.

For that reason I'm not going to engage with you any more. And suggest others ignore too, but that's obviously up to them.

I see that this war is going to cost consumers a good deal of money. Thanks Trump.

Called out by you?

I'd like a response on this: https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/israel-defense-minister-human-animals-gaza-palestine_n_6524220ae4b09f4b8d412e0a

How could I forget!
With one correction though. Since these countries host us bases where attacks were initiated from (also on last year's war) they are legitimate targets.
My understanding is that CIA, us, and so on use hotels, residential buildings etc for their troops, and offices so again, they are legitimate targets.

But really what excuse does Israel have for burning down oil depositories in Tehran that cause carcinogenic acid rain across the region??

I'm sorry but I just don't think you're going to get a response from anyone now.

@Angelyoga

Since these countries host us bases where attacks were initiated from (also on last year's war) they are legitimate targets.

Think hard about that....

I'm not sure using a definition that a legit target/country is anyone that hosts non-native forces or even proxies advances your cause one bit....

I didn't just say they are targeted because they merely host bases, I said they are targeted because they were used to launch attacks to another country.
Anyway, isn't this the reason bases exist? So that the native and non-native parties defend or attack others as a coalition.