In the midst of the war in Iran, London plays down the situation. Keir Starmer stated on Monday that the United States would not use British military bases in Cyprus against the mullahs’ regime, after one of them was hit by an Iranian drone. Speaking in the afternoon at Parliament, the British Prime Minister assured that these bases were “not being used and will not be used by the United States.”
During the night from Sunday to Monday, an Iranian Shahed drone, possibly launched by Hezbollah, struck a runway at the British base of Akrotiri, marking the first offensive action against a European Union country since the beginning of the war. A few hours earlier, Keir Starmer had announced that he had authorized the United States to use British bases against Iran, probably Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, and Fairford in southwestern England.
The Labour leader sought to reassure concerns from the Cypriot government, who asked London for assurance that these bases would only be used for humanitarian purposes. “The strike on (the base of) Akrotiri in Cyprus was not a response to any decision we have made. According to our assessment, the drone was launched before our announcement,” he clarified.
Starmer also justified the assistance provided by Washington in this conflict, emphasizing that the decision was made following a specific request from the United States for defensive purposes, including the collective defense of allies and the protection of British lives.
Many Britons are worried about a return to the unpopular memories of London’s involvement in the Iraq war in 2003. “We must not be dragged into a war of aggression provoked by the United States,” John McDonnell, a figure from the Labour Party, criticized on Monday.
As tensions rise, there is speculation that the United States may request increased military support from the UK if airstrikes against Iran continue. Starmer’s decision reflects Britain’s willingness to be flexible in the face of escalating conflict.
Criticism has emerged in the UK over Starmer’s decision, especially after initially denying the United States the use of the Diego Garcia base for strikes against Iran. Donald Trump reproached him for taking “too long” to authorize it previously. This time, Starmer did not resist the pressure from the American president for long.
Akrotiri base, a British Overseas Territory since Cyprus gained independence in 1960, is the largest Royal Air Force base outside the UK. Following the attack, families of base personnel were evacuated as a precautionary measure and relocated to nearby accommodations, as confirmed by the British Ministry of Defence.
After the Akrotiri attack, the EU is expected to discuss the activation of its mutual defense clause in case of aggression against a member state. Greece has sent two frigates and F-16 fighter jets to Cyprus to help it “deal with threats and illegal actions on its territory.”
