UK 'blocks US from using RAF bases to launch Iran strike - prompting anger from Trump'

[240B]

UK 'blocks US from using RAF bases to launch Iran strike - prompting anger from Trump'

Daily Mail
By IMOGEN GARFINKEL
19 February 2026

The United Kingdom has blocked the United States from using RAF bases to launch a strike on Iran, prompting anger from President Donald Trump.

The disagreement over the use of the British military sites is behind Trump's withdrawal of his support for Sir Keir Starmer’s deal to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, a report has claimed.

It comes as the White House is drawing up a detailed military plan for an attack on Iran involving the use of both Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, the site of America’s fleet of heavy bombers in Europe.

Defence officials reportedly briefed Trump that the US will be ready to begin a war by Saturday, following a formidable build-up of American aircraft and ships in recent days.

After the deployment of around 50 extra fighting jets, air-to-air refuelling tankers and other aircraft towards the Middle East, the military assets will reach the necessary level for airstrikes to begin by the weekend.

However, under the conditions of long-standing agreements with the White House, British bases can only be used for military operations that have been agreed in advance with Number 10.

As per international law, there is no formal distinction between a nation carrying out a strike and those in support, if the latter have 'knowledge of the circumstances of the internationally wrongful act'.

The UK has not yet granted permission to the US to use the military sites in the event that Trump orders an attack on Tehran, because of concerns that the strike would be a breach of international law, according to a report in the Times. 

(more)
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15574469/UK-blocks-US-using-RAF-bases-launch-Iran-strike-prompting-anger-Trump.html

[Canuck Conservative]

As per international law, there is no formal distinction between a nation carrying out a strike and those in support, if the latter have 'knowledge of the circumstances of the internationally wrongful act'.

Well if that's "international law", then we should hold Belarus as responsible as Russia for the illegal invasion of Ukraine.

[240B]

This is just another indication that the U.K. is abandoning its position as a Western NATO allied country, and is moving toward joining the Global Islamic Caliphate. Western nations including the U.S. and Israel are already restricting the transfer of intelligence data and new technologies to the U.K. Many Western nations believe that the U.K. can no longer be trusted as a Western Ally.

In only a few years the U.K. will be a fully Islamic State with nuclear weapons and a Navy.

[Wingnut]

Screw the Limey's.  We still have bases in Germany, Italy and Poland.  The Pols and Italia still love us.  Germany, eh Krauts will be Krauts.

[Fishrrman]

The response from Mr. Trump to starter re Diego Garcia should be:
"We're going to use it if we need it. If you don't like it, too bad. Try and stop us..."

[BobfromWB]

In only a few years the U.K. will be a fully Islamic State with nuclear weapons and a Navy.

The UK "Navy" is almost in as bad a shape as Russia's.