Iran has issued a dire threat to Britain after the missile attack on the Diego Garcia base.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a dire warning to Britain on social media after Keir Starmer allowed US military operations from British bases.
Iran has issued a warning threatening British lives after a missile attack on a key military facility it shares with the US.
The nation fired two missiles at the base last night, sending them on a journey that could see them travel more than 2,000 miles across the Indian Ocean, after Keir Starmer agreed the Trump administration could use British bases in its three-week-long attack. None of the missiles hit their intended targets; one failed to launch, and an American warship intercepted another.
Although the attack was foiled, it did not stop Iran from threatening Britain, with a follow-up message warning that British lives were “in danger” due to its assistance to the government.
read more: : Iran war live: Britain launches ‘reckless attack’ after missile attack on British base
Iran’s foreign minister tells Starmer that Britain ‘does not want any part of its choice in an Israel-US war’ (Image: Getty Images)
Ministers on Friday afternoon gave the US permission to strike Iranian missile sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran reacted angrily, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claiming it would “exercise its right to self-defence”.
Posting on Twitter, he said, “The vast majority of the British people want no part in an Israel-US war of choice on Iran. Ignoring his people, Mr Starmer is putting British lives at risk by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran. Iran will exercise its right to self-defence.”
Iran has in recent days stepped up attacks on its Gulf neighbours while maintaining a stranglehold on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump said Britain should have “acted rapidly” in allowing the US.
Keir Starmer allowed America to use British military bases from Friday (Image: AP)
He has already put pressure on NATO allies and called them “cowards” for refusing to offer warships to reopen the strait. RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus was attacked by an Iranian drone after the government granted the US permission for defensive operations from the UK base. It is understood the Prime Minister will hold a Cobra meeting next week to discuss plans to help families with living expenses due to the war.
It is understood Iran targeted the Diego Garcia base before ministers gave it permission to attack missile sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz. The Defence Ministry condemned Iran’s latest attack.
A spokesperson said, “Iran’s reckless attacks, including attacks across the region and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, threaten British interests and British allies. RAF jets and other UK military assets continue to protect our people and personnel in the region.
Diego Garcia serves primarily as a launch point for ships and aircraft. (Image: Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
“This government has allowed the US to use British bases for specific and limited defensive operations.” Downing Street said on Friday that British bases would now be used for US defensive operations to weaken missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships.
Diego Garcia is about 3,800 km (2,360 mi) from Iran and is home to an airbase capable of accommodating long-range US bombers.
Britain has agreed to hand over sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius and lease the base back. Diego Garcia is strategically valuable to the US and has been used for years as a launchpad for operations in the Middle East. It has a large airfield, major fuel storage facilities, radar installations and a deep-water port.
