Iran issued a stark warning on Friday (Mar 20), saying the United Kingdom was “putting British lives in danger” by allowing the United States to use its military bases.
At the same time, US President Donald Trump said he was surprised by what he described as the UK’s delayed decision to grant access for American operations targeting Iran. “I was a little surprised,” Trump told reporters, adding that London “should have acted a lot faster.”
The comments came after Downing Street confirmed that British ministers had approved expanded access for US forces, enabling operations aimed at Iranian missile systems believed to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran responded quickly. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that the UK’s move could pull Britain deeper into the conflict.
In a post on X, he said most British citizens “do not want any part” in what he called a “US-Israel war of choice,” adding that the decision was putting British lives at risk. “Iran will exercise its right to self-defence,” he wrote.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Iran recently launched two ballistic missiles toward the joint US-UK military base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. However, neither missile struck the target.
What did the UK do to anger Iran?
Downing Street confirmed on Friday (Mar 20) that Cabinet ministers had approved broader US access to British military bases. This allows American forces to use UK facilities to strike Iranian missile sites.
The decision followed a high-level meeting among British officials, as tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran continue to escalate.
The UK government said the move falls under collective self-defence, allowing US forces to operate from British bases to counter missile threats targeting vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
