It’s being reported by The Times that the UK has finally given permission for the US to use the airbase at Diego Garcia island.
Here’s the news via the Political Director at The Times:
Britain has given the US the green light to use RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia to carry out raids on Iranian missile sites that are attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz
It’s the same legal basis as before – collective self-defence – but the targets are new. They are being described once again as ‘US defensive operations’ rather than offensive strikes
“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.”
Breaking:
Britain has given the US the green light to use RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia to carry out raids on Iranian missile sites that are attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz
It's the same legal basis as before – collective self-defence – but the targets are new. They are…
— Steven Swinford (@Steven_Swinford) March 20, 2026
Iran is not pleased with this move, according to Time Magazine, saying this makes them a ‘participant in aggression’ or something:
Iran has told Britain that granting the United States access to its military bases makes it a “participant in aggression” in the escalating war.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he raised the matter during a call with U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.
“These actions will definitely be considered as participation in aggression and will be recorded in the history of relations between the two countries,” Araghchi said, according to his account of the call. “At the same time, we reserve our inherent right to defend the country’s sovereignty and independence.”