Sir Keir Starmer has dramatically changed his mind over giving the Americans permission to use RAF bases in Cyprus to tackle the growing threat from Iran.
In a late statement on Sunday evening, the prime minister insisted he was giving permission for the “limited specific defensive purpose” of protecting UK and US allies across the Middle East as Iran continues to lash out.
But hours after the announcement there were reports of a major explosion at RAF Akrotiri, one of the UK bases in Cyprus where US planes will be allowed to fly from.
Sources told the Cyprus Mail that personnel at the base were told of the threat, and instructed to “return to your homes and stay inside until further notice”.
The announcement followed defence secretary John Healey claiming that two Iranian missiles were aimed in the direction of Cyprus where the UK has bases on Saturday, although this has been disputed by the Cypriot authorities.
Sir Keir’s statement also came after severe criticism from Tories and Reform over the UK refusing to allow the US to use RAF bases and standing aside in taking direct action in the conflict.
However, it will now fuel concerns that the UK is being steadily dragged into a conflict which could find itself played out in British streets. Yesterday Sir Keir revealed that Iran had planned 20 atrocities in the UK just in the last year.
But Downing Street has made it clear that no US attacks on Iran will be launched from UK bases and the RAF will not be taking part in offensive action.
In his video message to the nation, Sir Keir said: “The US has requested permission to use British bases for that specific and limited defensive purpose.
“We have taken the decision to accept this request to prevent Iran firing missiles across the region, killing innocent civilians, putting British lives at risk and hitting countries that have not been involved.”
Green Party leader Zack Polanski blasted Sir Keir for caving in to Donald Trump.
He told The Independent: “It took just one phone call from Donald Trump for Starmer to jump into yet another Middle East illegal war, failing to learn the lessons of the tragedies of Iraq, Libya and Syria.”
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey warned: “No matter how the prime minister tries to redefine offensive as defensive, this is a slippery slope. He must not let Trump drag Britain into another prolonged war in the Middle East.”
But, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who had condemned Starmer for not allowing the US to use the bases earlier, told The Independent: “Better late than never. We have a follower not a leader.”
Former Tory defence secretary Grant Shapps described the move as “a welcome U-turn”. He added: “Quite why it’s taken him two days to make the most obvious decision of his premiership is another matter!”
But opposition to the move rapidly emerged from within Labour.
Labour MP Richard Burgon, chair of the Socialist Campaign Group of left-wing MPs, posted: “I am deeply alarmed that British military bases will be used in Trump’s bombing of Iran – these attacks violate international law. The UK government should be focused on de-escalation, diplomacy and a ceasefire – that’s the best way of keeping people safe, not following Trump.”
Sir Keir’s announcement follows disputed claims by defence secretary John Healey that Iranian missiles were shot in the direction of Cyprus as well as attacks on regional allies in Bahrain, Dubai and Qatar.
The prime minister explained: “Over the last two days Iran has launched sustained attacks across the region – at countries who did not attack them.
“They have hit airports and hotels where British citizens are staying. This is clearly a dangerous situation, we have at least 200,000 British citizens in the region – residents, families on holiday, and those in transit.
“Our Armed Forces – who are located across the region are also being put at risk by Iran’s actions. Yesterday Iran hit a military base in Bahrain, narrowly missing British personnel.”
The indiscriminate Iranian retaliation has come despite the death of much of the country’s hardline religious leadership, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Sir Keir said: “The death of the supreme leader will not stop Iran from launching these strikes. Their approach is becoming even more reckless – and more dangerous to civilians.
“Our decision that the UK would not be involved with the strikes on Iran was deliberate not least because we believe that the best way forward for the region and the world is a negotiated settlement. One in which Iran agrees to give up any aspirations to develop a nuclear weapon.
“But Iran is striking British interests nonetheless and putting British people at huge risk, along with our allies across the region.
“This is the situation we face today. Our partners in the Gulf have asked us to do more to defend them and it’s my duty to protect British lives.
“We have British jets in the air as part of coordinated defensive operations which have already successfully intercepted Iranian strikes.
“But the only way to stop the threat is to destroy the missiles at source in their storage depots or the launchers which are used to fire the missiles.”
Sir Keir also joined French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz in a joint statement calling on Iran to cease its attacks.
They said that they were “appalled by the indiscriminate and disproportionate missile attacks launched by Iran against countries in the region”.
They added: “Iran’s reckless attacks have targeted our close allies and are threatening our service personnel and our civilians across the region.”
