UK STANDS READY TO DEFEND ITSELF AFTER IRAN NAMES BASES AS TARGETS
The British government said on Thursday that its Armed Forces stand ready "24/7 to defend itself" after Iran identified UK bases used by the United States as potential targets. Iran's foreign ministry described the UK as an "accomplice" in US military operations, while the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) warned that any country supporting the US militarily "will be responsible for the consequences and repercussions". The statement came after the US carried out its 12th consecutive night of strikes against targets in Iran. The IRGC said on 23 July that American bombing missions had been launched from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire two days earlier, according to the Tasnim News Agency.
The UK has permitted the US to conduct "defensive" operations from British bases including RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, targeting Iranian military infrastructure used in attacks on Gulf shipping and vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. This arrangement began in March, days into the US-Israel led war, and has continued under new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who was notified last week of an extension to the existing agreement. The UK has refused to cooperate in offensive operations against Iran. US Central Command stated that the latest strikes were designed to "further degrade Iran's ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional waters".
A UK government spokesperson said Britain's approach remained unchanged and that the country was committed to defending its people, interests and allies in accordance with international law whilst avoiding being drawn into a wider conflict. The statement outlined a "layered approach to air and missile defence" provided by Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force assets working closely with NATO allies. The UK withdrew remaining diplomatic staff from Iran on Wednesday, citing the security situation, though the embassy said it would continue operating remotely. The Foreign Office advised against all travel to Iran, citing significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention for British and dual British-Iranian residents.