CRITICALMILITARYVERIFIED

UK authorizes US to use British military bases for strikes on Iranian missile sites attacking Hormuz shipping

2026-03-20 · 17:30 UTC·Downing Street, London; RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus

The British government formally authorized the United States to use UK military bases to carry out strikes on Iranian missile sites attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz. A Downing Street statement confirmed: '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.' British ministers met to discuss the Iran war and Hormuz blockade earlier today.

The British government authorized the US to use military bases in the UK (including RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus) for strikes on Iranian missile sites targeting Hormuz shipping. British ministers met to discuss the Iran war and Hormuz blockade. UK-Iran exchange on Day 21: - Iranian FM Araghchi told UK FM Yvette Cooper that any US use of British bases would be seen as 'participation in aggression' against Iran. - UK FM Cooper warned Iran 'against targeting UK bases, territory or interests directly' in a follow-up phone call, per UK Foreign Office statement. The UK authorization and Iran's counter-warning represent a direct diplomatic escalation between London and Tehran. The UK is now in Iran's declared target list if British bases are used for US strikes. Downing Street confirmed the authorization was given following ministerial-level discussions on Day 21.

ukusnatobaseshormuziranstrikesakrotiriday21

Actor responses

UKSUPPORTINGMILITARY

Downing Street: '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.' British ministers met earlier to discuss Iran war and Hormuz blockade.

USSUPPORTINGMILITARY

US gains formal UK authorization to use British bases for Hormuz-related strikes. Expands basing options including RAF Akrotiri (Cyprus) and Diego Garcia (BIOT) for operations against Iranian anti-ship missile sites.

IranOPPOSINGMILITARY

UK authorization for US to use British bases for Hormuz strikes expands coalition basing options. Iran faces US + UK-facilitated strike capability against Hormuz coastal missile batteries.

Sources

T1Downing Street statement / Times of Israel98% reliability