The United Kingdom government decided this Friday (20) to authorize, for “defensive actions”, the use of British bases by the United States in military operations related to the conflict with Iran and the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the main route for world oil. The decision was confirmed in an official statement released by the office of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, following a meeting of ministers to discuss the escalation in the Middle East.
According to the British government, the authorization is part of collective defense measures to protect commercial ships and energy infrastructure in the region, following threats from Iran against vessels sailing in the region and attacks against installations in the Gulf. According to the statement, the agreement allowing the use of bases in the United Kingdom includes American operations aimed at reducing the ability to launch missiles and other attacks used against ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The text states that London is working together with international partners to develop a plan capable of guaranteeing the safety of navigation in the region, where around 20% of world oil exports pass through. British officials also condemned the expansion of Iranian targets. According to the government, such an initiative increases the risk of an expanded regional crisis and more global economic impacts.
Despite supporting defensive operations, the United Kingdom stated that it intends to avoid a further escalation of the conflict. According to the statement, the country remains “committed to acting in accordance with international law, defending its interests and allies”, but without getting involved in a wider war in the Middle East. The British government also called for an “urgent reduction in tensions” and a quick solution to the conflict.
The position was released one day after a joint statement signed by the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan and other countries, which condemned the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the attacks on ships, classifying the actions as a threat to international security. In the document, the governments stated that they were ready to contribute to efforts to ensure safe passage along the route, but did not detail what type of military participation they could offer.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump criticized allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for not supporting operations to contain Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz more directly. In a publication made this Friday, the republican stated that several countries complain about the impact of the blockade on the price of oil, but avoid participating in military actions to guarantee the safety of navigation.
The British deployment comes as the United States intensifies operations in the region to try to reopen the strait, using attack planes, helicopters and bombings against Iranian targets, in a campaign that American officials say could take weeks before navigation is considered safe again.
