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

Burnham approves US use of UK bases for some strikes on Iran, Bloomberg reports Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 07/22/2026 - 10:05 The move marks a continuation of predecessor Keir Starmer's policy, which rights groups warned could violate international law US forces launch strikes on Iran for the 11th consecutive night, a screengrab made available on 22 July 2026 from handout footage released by the US Central Command shows (AFP) Off British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has approved the US use of some UK bases for "defensive" air strikes on Iran , in a continuation of a policy introduced by his predecessor Keir Starmer, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday. According to sources who spoke to Bloomberg on condition of anonymity, Starmer held a meeting of senior ministers and officials on Friday, in which it was decided that US planes could continue to use bases at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. The sources said that Burnham was briefed on the discussion and agreed with the decision, confirming that he would likely continue Starmer’s policy throughout the renewed US operations.