This photograph shows a sign reading « Thank you President Trump, » held up by supporters of the last crown prince of Iran and key opposition figure, Reza Pahlavi, gathered to take part in a march for Iran in Paris on March 7, 2026. (Credit: Lou Benoist/AFP) This photograph shows a sign reading « Thank you President Trump, » held up by supporters of the last crown prince of Iran and key opposition figure, Reza Pahlavi, gathered to take part in a march for Iran in Paris on March 7, 2026. (Credit: Lou Benoist/AFP)
The U.S. military has begun using British bases to conduct “defensive operations” in the Middle East conflict, the U.K. Ministry of Defence said Saturday.
“The United States has started using British bases for specific defensive operations to prevent Iran from launching missiles in the region that could endanger British lives,” the ministry said in a post on X.
U.S. Air Force B-1 bombers landed Saturday at RAF Fairford in southwestern England, AFP journalists observed.
London gave approval around Sunday for the United States to use some of its bases, including Fairford and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, to strike Iranian missile sites, after U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized Britain for initially refusing their use during the first U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the delay Wednesday, saying he was not prepared “to bring the United Kingdom into war without a legal basis and without a viable, well-thought-out plan.”
A Survation poll published Friday found that 56 percent of Britons support Starmer’s initial decision, while 27 percent believe it was a mistake. Among those surveyed, 49 percent said Britain should remain neutral and focus on protecting its interests, 17 percent supported active involvement alongside the United States and Israel, and 20 percent said the United Kingdom should clearly oppose the war.
On Saturday, demonstrators gathered outside RAF Fairford at the call of pacifist groups to protest the conflict in the Middle East.
The U.K. Ministry of Defence also said Typhoon and F-35 fighter jets were continuing operations over Jordan, Qatar and Cyprus, as well as elsewhere in the region, to defend British interests and those of its allies. The aircraft have recently shot down drones flying over Jordan and Iraq.
A Merlin helicopter is also being deployed to provide additional surveillance capabilities.
Britain, whose military base in Cyprus was struck overnight Sunday by an Iranian-designed drone, announced Thursday the deployment of additional combat aircraft and other military assets, including measures to strengthen its air defenses.
A Royal Navy destroyer is also set to depart next week for the eastern Mediterranean.
On Friday, Starmer said he was “ready to support” Saudi Arabia’s defense if necessary, during a call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
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