Donald Trump faces being denied permission to use British bases if he follows through on a threat to ‘obliterate’ Iranian power plants.
The UK has given US forces the green light to run ‘defensive’ operations from its military sites, such as Diego Garcia.
On Friday evening, Keir Starmer extended that to action aiming to reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz – amid mounting panic over choked off oil supplies.
However, the premier has assured Cyprus that RAF Akrotiri will not be used for strikes.
And Government sources made clear the UK had not agreed to facilitate attacks on civilian infrastructure.
Posting on his Truth Social site last night, Mr Trump said: ‘If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP.’
Donald Trump faces being denied permission to use British bases if he follows through on a threat to ‘obliterate’ Iranian power plants
Mr Trump has vented fury at Sir Keir’s reluctance to take a bigger role in the US-Israeli war on Iran, branding him ‘disappointing’ and ‘no Churchill’
The PM has previously condemned Russia’s ‘depraved’ attacks on Ukraine’s power grid. The UN has said that targeting ‘civilians and civilian infrastructure is a clear breach of the rules of warfare’.
Concerns have also been raised that Iran could respond to the move with concerted strikes on infrastructure in neighbouring countries.
Senior Government sources said permission to use UK bases had only been granted for ‘specific and limited defensive purposes’, such as degrading capabilities threatening allies in the Gulf and tankers.
It is not clear whether the US has asked, or will ask, to operate such missions from British sites.
Mr Trump has vented fury at Sir Keir’s reluctance to take a bigger role in the US-Israeli war on Iran, branding him ‘disappointing’ and ‘no Churchill’. He has called Nato countries ‘cowards’ for not sending warships to the Strait of Hormuz.
Communities Secretary Steve Reed was repeatedly pressed whether the Government supported Mr Trump’s deadline in broadcast interviews this morning.
He told Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme: ‘I think you need to ask President Trump about the things that President Trump is talking about.’
Mr Reed insisted the Government is ‘perfectly capable’ of defending the country, following signs Tehran can fire ballistic missiles much further than previously believed.
The Communities Secretary also played down the need for fuel rationing as the Middle East crisis escalates, although he admitted there were ‘contingency plans’.
The appeal for calm came after Iran launched an attack on Diego Garcia, the joint US-UK base in the Indian Ocean.
Although neither missile hit the target, the distance of 2,360 miles was well beyond the 1,240 miles that had been regarded as the outer limit of the regime’s reach.
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Mr Trump delivered his ultimatum to Iran in a post on his Truth Social site last night
Israel pointed out that Paris, 2,609 miles away, and even London – 2,750 miles – are potentially within Iran’s range. Some strategists fear the country can use its Simorgh space launch technology to extend its reach.
In a ballistic attack, defence experts say Britain would be forced to rely on American SM-3 defence systems stationed across Eastern Europe, or the Patriot missiles used by the Germans, to intercept rockets.
It follows a fresh wave of missile attacks launched by Tehran towards Israel amid mounting fears about the regime’s ability to strike European capitals.
More than 100 people have been wounded in southern Israel after strikes on buildings in the cities of Dimona and Arad.
