Britain’s newly sworn-in Prime Minister Andy Burnham has approved continued U.S. access to key British military installations for operations against Iran, marking one of his first major foreign policy decisions in office.
The approval covers two strategically significant facilities: Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territory and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England. U.K. authorities have classified the operations as defensive in nature, centered on countering Iranian missile threats near the critical Strait of Hormuz.
The backdrop is serious. U.S. Central Command has been striking Iranian command centers, launch sites, and air defense systems following the collapse of a ceasefire between the two sides. According to a report, those operations have now continued for ten consecutive nights, triggered in part by renewed Iranian attacks on commercial vessels.
President Donald Trump made no secret of his desire for British support, particularly after three U.S. service members were killed in Iranian counterattacks, the first American fatalities since mid-April. “Should Iran decide not to make a deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the [RAF] Airfield location in Fairford [Gloucestershire], in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous regime,” Trump stated.
Burnham’s decision followed high-level government meetings, including discussions held on Friday before he was formally installed as prime minister. His team received full briefings on the U.S. position ahead of the announcement.
His approach stands in notable contrast to that of his predecessor, Keir Starmer. Starmer’s government declined to join initial U.S. air sorties earlier in 2026 but did permit the use of British bases for defensive strikes aimed at degrading Iranian military capabilities. Burnham appears to be extending that framework while signaling a broader willingness to maintain the U.K.-U.S. relationship.
The strategic value of the two bases is considerable. Diego Garcia provides a forward staging point in the Indian Ocean, supporting logistics, aircraft, and assets directed toward the Middle East. RAF Fairford has a well-established history of supporting long-range U.S. bomber operations.
Together, the facilities could allow the U.S. to sustain pressure on Iranian military infrastructure, including air defense networks and command structures, potentially affecting Iran’s ability to threaten or operate in the Strait of Hormuz region.
Burnham has signaled he intends to manage any points of difference with Washington through direct dialogue, rather than public distancing, as he navigates one of the most consequential international situations to face a new British leader in years.