UK withholds permission for US strikes as Diego Garcia emerges in dispute over Chagos deal
The British government has not given permission for the US to use UK military bases to support potential US strikes on Iran, and diego garcia is central to arguments about the islands' strategic value. The question has heightened after comments from US President Donald Trump and diplomatic moves over the Chagos Islands.
Government stance and official lines
The British government has said it has not granted permission for US forces to use UK bases in support of possible strikes on Iran. A UK government spokesperson said: "As routine, we do not comment on operational matters. " The same spokesperson added: "There is a political process ongoing between the US and Iran, which the UK supports. Iran must never be able to develop a nuclear weapon, and our priority is security in the region. "
Trump, Sir Keir Starmer and the Chagos deal
US President Donald Trump has expressed his opposition to Sir Keir Starmer's deal to hand the Chagos Islands over to Mauritius and lease back a joint UK-US military base. Sir Keir spoke to Trump over the phone on Tuesday, after the US government gave its formal support for the Chagos deal. The Times reports the pair discussed Trump's ultimatum to Iran over its nuclear programme, and Trump made his statement attacking the Chagos deal the next day.
US pressure on Iran and diplomatic talks in Switzerland
The US has been pressuring Iran to agree to curb its nuclear programme and has threatened possible strikes if Iran fails to do so. Washington has moved warships, aircraft and other military assets to the region in preparation for a possible strike. At the same time, some progress has been reported at talks between American and Iranian negotiators in Switzerland. On Thursday, Trump said the world would find out "over the next, probably, 10 days" whether the US would reach a deal with Iran or take military action.
Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford in strategic calculations
The US has in the past used RAF Fairford, in Gloucestershire, and the UK overseas territory of Diego Garcia, in the Indian Ocean, to carry out strikes in the Middle East region. Insiders believe the Pentagon's preparations for possible strikes on Iran—which could potentially be launched from Diego Garcia—may have shifted the president's understanding of the significance of the island, the largest in the Chagos archipelago. Trump referenced this in his Truth Social post, saying: "Should Iran decide not to make a deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the [RAF] Airfield location in Fairford [Gloucestershire], in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous regime. "
Past use of bases and a separate operation involving Bella 1
Neither RAF Fairford nor Diego Garcia were used in the US strikes carried out last year on Iran's nuclear facilities; at the time a senior UK defence source said Washington had not sought permission. RAF Fairford and other UK military bases were most recently used by the US in support of a military operation to seize the registered tanker known as Bella 1 earlier this year.
