The United Kingdom opens its bases to the U.S. to defend the Strait of Hormuz: Tehran threatens retaliation.

The British government has given the green light to the United States to use its military bases in order to launch attacks against Iranian targets that threaten the Strait of Hormuz. Previously, the use of the bases had only been authorized for defensive operations aimed at preventing missile launches against British interests or lives. However, the executive of Prime Minister Keir Starmer decided in a meeting today to expand the scope of aerial operations. 

In response to this news, the political reaction from Tehran is clear. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other senior officials insist that attacks against U.S. bases in the region are a "legitimate response" and warn that the use of ally bases to strike Iran amounts, in substance, to an act of participation in the aggression against the Islamic Republic. The message, repeated several times in recent weeks, is clear: if the runways are open to U.S. bombers, those who provide them are not neutral.

"The vast majority of British citizens do not want to take part in the war undertaken by Israel and the United States against Iran.

Ignoring his own people, Mr. Starmer is endangering British lives by allowing UK bases to be used for aggressions against Iran.

Iran will exercise its right to self-defense," added Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on X.

On the multilateral front, the United Kingdom has simultaneously strongly condemned Iranian attacks "against civilians and civilian infrastructure" and claimed a "defensive and coordinated" role in the sky to protect regional partners: a narrative that seeks to balance support for the ally and distance from the initial offensive.