Burnham approves use of UK bases for some US strikes on Iran

UK's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has approved the use of British military bases by the US for what the UK calls defensive strikes against Iran, in a continuation of his predecessor Keir Starmer's policy, even as President Donald Trump ramps up his war, Report informs via Bloomberg.

Starmer led a meeting of senior ministers and officials on Friday to discuss British policy following the resumption of US operations earlier this month, according to people familiar with the matter.

Ministers at that meeting decided to continue the existing policy that bases at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England could be used by US planes flying missions aimed at countering the Iranian missile threat and sites used to target the Strait of Hormuz, the people said.

Burnham, who became prime minister on Monday, was informed of the discussion and agreed with the decision taken, they added. They spoke on condition of anonymity discussing security matters.

He will continue the previous government's policy when it comes to approving UK bases for so-called defensive US strikes, the people said. It means British bases are likely to be used for some of the current round of American operations.

Burnham is likely to face criticism from the left-wing Green Party and the Liberal Democrats, who both oppose the use of the bases because, in their view, it makes the UK complicit in war crimes.