Keir Starmer has dramatically changed his mind on giving the Americans permission to use RAF bases in Cyprus to tackle the growing threat from Iran.
In a late statement on Sunday evening, the prime minister insisted he was giving permission for the “narrow defensive” purposes of defending UK and US allies across the Middle East as Iran continues to lash out.
It follows defence secretary John Healey revealing that two Iranian missiles were aimed in the direction of Cyprus where the UK has bases.
In a video message to the nation, Sir Keir said: “The US has requested permission to use British bases for that specific and limited defensive purpose.
“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.”
He explained: “Over the last two days Iran has launched sustained attacks across the region – at countries who did not attack them.
“They have hit airports and hotels where British citizens are staying. This is clearly a dangerous situation, we have at least 200,000 British citizens in the region – residents, families on holiday, and those in transit.
“Our Armed Forces – who are located across the region are also being put at risk by Iran’s actions. Yesterday Iran hit a military base in Bahrain, narrowly missing British personnel.”
He went on: “The death of the Supreme Leader 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 not least because we believe that the best way forward for the region and the world is a negotiated settlement. One in which Iran agrees to give up any aspirations to develop a nuclear weapon.
“But Iran is striking British interests nonetheless and putting British people at huge risk, along with our allies across the region.
“This is the situation we face today. Our partners in the Gulf have asked us to do more to defend them and it’s my duty to protect British lives.
“We have British jets in the air as part of coordinated defensive operations which have already successfully intercepted Iranian strikes.
“But the only way to stop the threat is to destroy the missiles at source in their storage depots or the launchers which are used to fire the missiles.”
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