According to foreign media and people familiar with the matter, new UK prime
minister Andy Burnham has approved US use of UK military bases for partial
'defensive strikes' on Iran, continuing policy under former prime minister Keir
Starmer. Starmer chaired a meeting of senior ministers and officials last Friday
to review UK policy after the US resumed military action earlier this month; the
meeting agreed to allow US aircraft to operate from the Diego Garcia base in the
Indian Ocean and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. The missions are described as
aimed at countering Iranian missile threats and striking assets used to attack
facilities in the Strait of Hormuz. Burnham, who took office on Monday, was
briefed on the discussion and has agreed to the decision.
