# Keir Starmer in major Strait of Hormuz move after Trump let rip at PM
**By Staff Reporter**
In a significant escalation of British foreign policy, Keir Starmer’s government has officially authorized the United States military to utilize British bases for defensive strikes against Iranian targets threatening the Strait of Hormuz.
The decision, announced from Downing Street on Friday, comes shortly after President Donald Trump issued a scathing critique of the Prime Minister, placing immense pressure on the UK to take a more assertive stance against Tehran's provocations. The move marks a pivotal shift in Britain's regional strategy as the Iranian regime continues to effectively blockade the vital oil route to Western tankers.
The new mandate allows US troops to operate out of British facilities to "degrade Iran's missile sites." While Downing Street had previously authorized the use of bases to prevent direct threats to British lives or specific interests, this updated policy represents a broader commitment to securing international shipping lanes.
The announcement follows a period of heightened diplomatic tension. Earlier on Friday, Iranian state media reported that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had issued a stern warning to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. Tehran reportedly cautioned that allowing British military assets to facilitate US strikes would be categorized as a direct "act of aggression" against the Islamic Republic.
Despite these threats, a Downing Street spokeswoman confirmed the decision following a high-level meeting with senior ministers.
"They confirmed that the agreement for the US to use UK bases in the collective self-defence of the region includes US defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz," the official statement read.
The move is seen by many analysts as a necessary response to the growing chaos in global energy supply chains. By deepening the military cooperation between London and Washington, the Starmer administration is signaling that it is no longer willing to tolerate the persistent intimidation tactics employed by the Iranian regime in one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints.
As the situation develops, international observers are watching closely to see how the Iranian leadership will respond to this intensified Western military posture.
