UK allows US to use bases to strike Strait of Hormuz targets

[Twiglets1]

The UK has agreed to allow the United States to use British bases to launch strikes on Iranian sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer previously allowed US forces to use the bases only for defensive operations to prevent Iran firing missiles that put British interests or lives at risk.

On Friday, Downing Street said ministers approved an expansion of the targets to help protect ships in the strait – a vital oil shipping channel - and still on the basis of "collective self-defence".

A Downing Street spokesperson said of Friday's discussions by ministers: "They agreed that Iran's reckless strikes, including on Red Ensign vessels and those of our close allies and Gulf partners, risked pushing the region further into crisis and worsening the economic impact being felt in the UK and around the world.

"They confirmed that the agreement for the US to use UK bases in the collective self-defence of the region includes US defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz."
Downing Street added ministers want "urgent de-escalation and a swift resolution to the war".

The expansion comes after Iran's foreign minister warned the UK it views its choice to let the US use British bases as "participation in aggression".

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c36rny6xgppo

So here we go to war again, for the US………

I don’t know anyone who wanted that.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer previously allowed US forces to use the bases only for defensive operations to prevent Iran firing missiles that put British interests or lives at risk.

Do many people seriously believe someone in HMG gets to get to see list of targets planned to be hit or actually hit by USAF aircraft operating from UK bases?

A cynic might suspect that the floating of the idea that there's some deal that really allows "defensive bombing" only (whatever the heck that is) is being done for UK domestic political purposes.

I bloody knew he would do this 😡 thanks Starmer you just completely screwed up!

Do many people seriously believe someone in HMG gets to get to see list of targets planned to be hit or actually hit by USAF aircraft operating from UK bases?

I don't.

I think it just gave Starmer plausible deniability.

Well you were keen for Starmer to get involved immediately.

We were always going to be dragged in somehow - the war is pushing up energy and mortgage costs.

And no sign of regime change.

There won’t be any regime change, there was never going to be. There will however be lots more dead civilians, dead troops, and a fucked world economy.

Assuming you are talking to me, my stance has been from the start that I felt Starmer had got it about right with his position of only allowing UK bases for defensive purposes.

Though I did find Trump's comment about him being no Churchill funny, I feel Starmer has been doing ok on this subject.

Plausible deniability of any offensive action is sensible politically I think.

I apologise. I thought you’d desired a more active response from the UK.

Apology accepted but no, not me.