UK 'ready to defend itself' after Iran says bases are 'legitimate targets'

UK 'ready to defend itself' after Iran says bases are 'legitimate targets'Image source, EPAImage caption, US military aircraft have been based at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, pictured here in April 2026BySean SeddonPublished7 minutes agoThe British government has said it "stands ready 24/7 to defend itself" after Iran said UK bases used by the US were considered "legitimate targets". The UK has allowed the US to launch "defensive" operations from British bases hosting American personnel and aircraft, while refusing to cooperate in offensive operations against Iran.Iran's foreign ministry said the UK was an "accomplice" in the US war, while the powerful Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) military wing said any country which supports the US militarily "will be responsible for the consequences and repercussions".It came after the US carried out a 12th consecutive night of strikes against targets in Iran.While US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised the British government and former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for what he has deemed a lack of support for his war, Iran's comments on 23 July sought to paint the UK as a party to the campaign.In March, days into the US-Israel led war, permission was given to the US for it to use British bases including RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean to target Iranian military infrastructure used to attack Gulf countries and vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.That policy has not been altered by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who was notified last week that a decision had been taken to extend the agreement with the US.In a statement published on the IRGC-linked Tasnim News Agency on 23 July, the group said American bombing missions had been launched from RAF Fairford two days earlier.The UK Ministry of Defence has not commented on whether the base was used by the US for operations against Iran this week....