Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Friday that the United Kingdom has approved the use of its military bases by U.S. forces for strikes on Iranian missile sites threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

The decision comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, where Iran has targeted vessels in the vital waterway that carries a significant portion of global oil supplies. U.S. officials identified specific Iranian sites, including potentially Kharg Island, as threats to maritime traffic.

This approval builds on an earlier agreement reached on March 1, when Starmer permitted limited U.S. access to British bases for "defensive" strikes against Iranian missile storage and launch facilities. That move followed U.S. and Israeli operations against Iran and came shortly after an Iranian-made drone struck the RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus, though no casualties were reported.

British officials have emphasized that the UK is not directly participating in offensive actions and that the permissions are strictly for defensive purposes to protect international shipping. The bases in question include facilities in Cyprus, such as RAF Akrotiri, and possibly others like Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, which have historically supported U.S. operations.

Iran responded swiftly to the latest development, warning that the UK's actions constitute participation in aggression against it. Tehran previously cautioned London against allowing U.S. access, heightening risks to British interests in the region.

U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the UK for delaying permission earlier in the conflict, stating that London "should have acted a lot faster." The remarks underscore ongoing alliance dynamics as the U.S. leads efforts to counter Iranian threats.

The permissions have sparked debate in the UK and Cyprus, where protests have grown over fears that British bases are drawing the island into the conflict. Cypriot officials expressed concerns after the Akrotiri drone incident, which British forces attributed to Iran-backed militants.

Starmer's government maintains that safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz is essential for global energy security and British economic interests, given the presence of around 200,000 UK nationals in affected countries. The move aligns with longstanding U.S.-UK defense cooperation but stops short of full military involvement.

As strikes proceed, oil prices have surged, and international calls for de-escalation intensify. The UK parliament has not been recalled for debate on the issue, with officials citing the limited scope of the approvals.