Starmer to ‘refuse Trump permission to use UK bases for Iran strikes’

WorldPolitics
7 Apr 2026 • 10:16 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • The UK is expected to refuse Donald Trump permission to use RAF bases for strikes on Iranian civilian infrastructure, such as bridges or power plants.
  • Donald Trump has threatened to target Iranian civilian infrastructure unless Tehran meets his demands, warning that ”a whole civilisation will die tonight”.
  • The UK's agreement for US use of British bases is strictly for ”collective self-defence of the region” and defensive operations against missile sites, not for attacking civilian targets.
  • International law experts have warned that targeting civilian infrastructure could constitute a war crime.
  • This refusal is anticipated to further strain relations between Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump, who recently compared Sir Keir to Neville Chamberlain.

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