JOHANNESBURG - The UK has made a U-turn and will allow the US to use its bases in the Middle East.
But Prime Minister Keir Starmer says it will not take part in offensive strikes.
It will allow the US to use the bases to hit Iranian missile sites as a defensive act.
Starmer warned that talks and not missiles will resolve 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. We are not joining these strikes, but we will continue with our defensive actions in the region.”
Starmer said the UK believes that the best way forward for the region and for the world is a negotiated settlement.
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“One in which Iran agrees to give up any aspirations to develop a nuclear weapon. But the only way to stop the threat is to destroy the missiles at source – in their storage depots or the launchers which used to fire the missiles.”
He said the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will not stop Iran from launching these strikes.
“Their approach is becoming even more reckless – and more dangerous to civilians. Our decision that the UK would not be involved with the strikes on Iran was deliberate.”