British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Sunday that the United Kingdom will permit the United States to use British military bases for what he described as limited, defensive strikes targeting Iranian missile infrastructure.

In a prerecorded statement released through official channels, Starmer said Washington requested access to British facilities for a “specific and limited defensive purpose.” He said the decision was intended to prevent Iran from launching missiles across the region that could kill civilians, endanger British nationals, and strike countries not directly involved in the conflict.

“We have taken the decision to accept this request to prevent Iran firing missiles across the region, killing innocent civilians, putting British lives at risk, and hitting countries that have not been involved,” Starmer said.

The move marks a shift from the U.K.’s earlier position, when London declined to participate directly in offensive operations that began in late February against Iranian military facilities, nuclear sites, and senior leadership targets. British officials have maintained that the U.K. is not engaging in offensive combat operations but has focused on defensive measures, including intercepting Iranian missiles aimed at allies in the Gulf region.

Starmer acknowledged what he described as a growing security threat posed by Tehran. “Even in the United Kingdom, the Iranian regime poses a direct threat to dissidents and to the Jewish community,” he said, adding that more than 20 potentially lethal plots on British soil over the past year have been linked to Iranian-backed activity.

The prime minister characterized Iran’s conduct as increasingly reckless and said the decision to allow U.S. access aligns with international law under the doctrine of collective self-defense. The British government also published a summary of its legal justification supporting the move.

The authorization comes as U.S. operations against Iran continue to expand, with Washington and its allies seeking to degrade Tehran’s missile capabilities and deter further regional escalation.