Starmer Addresses MPs on UK’s Position Regarding Iran Strikes
Sir Keir Starmer has informed Members of Parliament that the UK government "does not believe in regime change from the skies," positioning himself in opposition to President Trump concerning the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
In his initial statement to Parliament following the strikes, Sir Keir justified his decision to deny permission for the use of UK bases during the initial wave of attacks.
"President Trump has expressed his disagreement with our decision not to get involved in the initial strikes, but it is my duty to judge what is in Britain's national interest,"
he stated to MPs.
However, the situation evolved on Sunday when Iran's "outrageous" response was deemed "a threat to our people, our interests and our allies," according to the Prime Minister.
Iran's retaliation to the US and Israeli attacks posed a threat to British nationals across the Middle East, leading to the decision to permit the use of UK bases to target Tehran's missile infrastructure, he explained.
He also referenced a drone attack on RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, emphasizing that the base "is not being used by US bombers."
Details of the US and Israeli Strikes and Iran’s Retaliation
On Saturday, the US and Israel conducted strikes against Iran, resulting in the death of the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In response, Iran launched missiles and drones across the region, targeting nations including Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, as well as vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
The UK declined permission for the US military to utilize British bases for what the Prime Minister described as "offensive strikes"; however, it later consented to the use of British military bases for "defensive" strikes against Iranian missile sites.
Sir Keir clarified to MPs:
"To be clear, the use of British bases is limited to the agreed defensive purposes; we are not joining the US and Israeli offensive strikes."
He further elaborated on the principles guiding the government's decisions:
"The lessons of history have taught us that it is important when we make decisions like this, that we establish there is a lawful basis for what the United Kingdom is doing.
That is one of the lessons from Iraq, and that there's a viable thought-through plan with an objective that can be achieved or has a viable prospect of being achieved.
That is the principle that I applied to the decisions that I made over the weekend."
He concluded:
"This government does not believe in regime change from the skies."
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