The UK government has approved an expansion of US access to British bases to support strikes on Iranian sites that it says are targeting the Strait of Hormuz.
Downing Street confirmed that ministers signed off on the move, framing it as a response to what it described as “reckless strikes” by Iran. The approval widens the circumstances under which the United States can use UK bases for military action connected to the tension around the strategically important sea route.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the wider Indian Ocean. Any threat to movement through the narrow passage can quickly trigger heightened security concerns because of the volume of global energy shipments that pass through the area.
In its statement, Downing Street said the expanded permission was granted after ministers reviewed the situation. The government did not disclose which specific bases are covered under the decision, or the operational details surrounding how the access would be used in practice.
The announcement underscores the close defence relationship between London and Washington, particularly when tensions rise in and around the Middle East. It also signals that the UK is aligning its military posture with US efforts aimed at deterring further actions that the UK believes could put shipping routes at risk.
Iran has been at the centre of repeated international disputes involving regional security and navigation in the Gulf. The UK’s reference to “reckless strikes” indicates that ministers view recent developments as serious enough to warrant a broader authorisation for US operations from British facilities.
Downing Street has not released a timeline for how long the expanded access will remain in force. It also did not provide further information on diplomatic engagement linked to the decision or whether additional steps are being considered.
The development comes amid continuing international focus on protecting navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and preventing further escalation in the region.