British Prime Minister Keir Starmer rejected Donald Trump's request to use British air bases for attacks on Iran, citing international law.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has blocked a request from American President Donald Trump to allow the use of two British air bases for attacks on Iran, arguing that such actions would violate international law. Starmer denied access to the RAF base at Fairford and the facilities on Diego Garcia, both of which are essential for American military operations. This divergence was initially reported by The Times of London and has been confirmed by other British publications.

Starmer and Trump recently discussed peace in the Middle East, and Trump criticized an agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, which includes the base on Diego Garcia. Although Trump initially supported the agreement, he changed his tone, stating that Starmer is making a "big mistake" by his refusal.

In the context of a possible escalation of tensions with Iran, Trump emphasized the need for quick access to these bases for American bombers, considering that attacks could last weeks or months. Although the U.S. may have alternatives in other countries, access to bases near Iran is crucial for effective operations.