Iran

Full story: Starmer allows Trump to use British bases for strikes to help reopen Strait of Hormuz

Downing Street said any such action would still amount to ‘collective self-defence’, insisting it would not mean the UK was drawn into the wider conflict.

It said UK bases will now be used for US ‘defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships’ in the key shipping lane, crucial to the globe’s oil supply.

Daniel HaygarthBryony Gooch

In pictures: An explosion following a strike on an Iranian facility in Haji Abad, Iran

Full Downing Street statement

A Downing Street spokesperson said: ‘Ministers met this afternoon to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East and Iran’s targeting of unarmed commercial shipping, civilian infrastructure including oil and gas facilities and its blocking of the Strait of Hormuz.

‘They underlined that the UK is working closely with international partners to develop a viable plan to safeguard international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

‘Ministers condemned Iran’s expansion of its targets to include international shipping. They agreed that Iran’s reckless strikes, including on Red Ensign vessels and those of our close allies and Gulf partners, risked pushing the region further into crisis and worsening the economic impact being felt in the UK and around the world.

‘They confirmed that the agreement for the US to use UK bases in the collective self-defence of the region includes US defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

‘They reaffirmed that the principles behind the UK’s approach to the conflict remain the same: the UK remains committed to defending our people, our interests and our allies, acting in accordance with international law and not getting drawn into the wider conflict.

‘Ministers underlined the need for urgent de-escalation and a swift resolution to the war.’

Daniel Haygarth

Conservatives accuse Labour of massive U-turn

Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has accused the government of the ‘mother of all U-turns’.

Labour has previously allowed the US to use British bases for operations to prevent Iran firing missiles that put British interests or lives at risk.

But now ministers have expanded their use to include protecting ships in the Strait of Hormuz, while still claiming such action would amount to collective self defence and not mean Britain was dragged into a wider conflict.

In a statement No 10 said ministers had agreed bases could now be used for “US defensive operations” to target “capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz”.

Dan Haygarth