UK allows US to use British bases, Iran fires missiles at Diego Garcia

The Starmer government has given the U.S. approval to use UK bases for "collective self-defence" in the Middle East, including "defensive operations" degrading missile sites used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz. British ministers met on Friday to discuss the war between US, Israel and Iran and talk about Iran's blocking of the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported, citing a statement by Downing Street. "They confirmed that the agreement for the US to use UK bases in the collective self-defence of the region includes US defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz," the statement said. The Downing Street statement  called for "urgent de-escalation and a swift resolution to the war". Meanwhile, Iran launched ballistic missiles at the Diego Garcia military base in the Indian Ocean, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. The report says one missile failed in flight and another was intercepted by a US SM‑3 system, with neither striking the base.

Iran launched ballistic missiles at the Diego Garcia military base in the Indian Ocean, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. The report says one missile failed in flight and another was intercepted by a US SM‑3 system, with neither striking the base. pic.twitter.com/wXD5pugVPk

— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) March 21, 2026

Both bases - Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands and the RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire are home to America’s fleet of heavy bombers in Europe. Based on the previous agreements with the UK, these bases can be used for military operations against third countries if the operation has been discussed and agreed to in advance with the government.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said this week that Britain would not be drawn into a war over Iran. But Starmer modified his stance after Iran conducted strikes on British allies across the Middle East, saying that the United States could use RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia, a joint US-UK base in the Indian Ocean, the report said.