British outlets have suggested London is worried the American strikes could breach international law
US President Donald Trump is frustrated with the UK over its reluctance to allow Washington to use its military bases for an attack on Iran, several outlets have reported.
On Thursday, Trump set a ten-day deadline for Tehran to reach a nuclear deal with Washington, saying that “bad things happen” if the Iranians fail to do so. The warning came amid reports of the US deploying two aircraft carrier strike groups and continuing its military buildup in the region.
The Times said the same day that, according to its understanding, the British government remains hesitant to greenlight preemptive US strikes on Iran from iNaval Support Facility Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean and Royal Air Force Fairford in Gloucestershire over concerns that they would contradict London’s interpretation of international law.
The UK maintains that the use of force is only permitted in self-defense if a country faces an actual or imminent attack. The stance did not prevent Britain from taking part in the US-led invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan or carrying out bombing raids in Libya and Syria.
The UK government sources told The Guardian that London believes the disagreement over the bases was the reason for Trump’s sudden U-turn on Britain’s deal to hand over the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius. London insists that the transfer is essential for security purposes and would avoid a costly legal battle over the territory.
On Tuesday, the US State Department said that it supports the May 2025 agreement, which allows the UK to retain control of a base on Diego Garcia Island for an initial period of 99 years at a reported total value of $3.9 billion.
However, the next day, the US President wrote in a post on Truth Social that Britain shouldn’t give away the archipelago, saying that it would be “a blight on our Great Ally.”
It “may be necessary” from Washington to use the UK bases to “in order to eradicate a potential attack” by Iran, which could also target Britain, Trump wrote, implying that London’s involvement in the operation would be perfectly legal.
