- Title: UK to allow US to use airbases for defensive strikes against Iran
- Date: 2nd March 2026
- Summary: FAIRFORD, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM (MARCH 2, 2026) (REUTERS) SIGN AT AIRBASE READING (English): "Royal Air Force Fairford. U.S. AIR FORCE" SECURITY BARRIER AT AIRBASE RAZOR WIRE SPOOLS OF RAZOR WIRE ON TOP OF FENCE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE SIGN ON FENCE VEHICLES DRIVING IN AIRBASE SEEN THROUGH FENCE VARIOUS OF AIRBASE VEHICLES DRIVING ACROSS ROAD FUEL TANKER INSIDE AIRBA
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: Britain Iran RAF Fairford US warplanes United States defensive strikes
- Location: FAIRFORD, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM
- City: FAIRFORD, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: UK
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Europe,Military Conflicts
- Reuters ID: LVA001004302032026RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: On Sunday evening (March 1) British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was allowing the United States to use British airbases for any "defensive" strikes the U.S. wanted to make against Iranian targets.
Britain had reportedly initially denied the U.S. permission to conduct air strikes from its bases, and was not involved in the joint U.S.-Israel air strikes on Iran that killed the country's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Saturday (February 28).
Since attacks on Iran started on Saturday, Iran has been targeting Gulf countries with missiles, and on Sunday an Iranian-made drone hit Britain's RAF (Royal Air Force) Akrotiri base in Cyprus, causing limited damage and no casualties.
(Production: Gerhard Mey, Martin Veal) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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