United Kingdom approves United States use of United Kingdom bases to strike Iran missile sites
Change
On March 20, 2026 the United Kingdom authorised the United States to use Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford and the joint US–UK base Diego Garcia to conduct strikes to degrade Iranian missile sites and capabilities attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Why it matters
United States operational planners must now treat UK basing as an available and authorised launch platform, reducing plans that assumed only forward-deployed or regional assets. United Kingdom basing authorities are now required to provide the hosting, refuelling and airspace permissions needed for strike missions originating from UK territory.
Implications
- • United States military planners must incorporate RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia into strike and logistics plans and secure necessary munitions, fuel and overflight clearances — failure to do so will risk mission delays or lack of basing support.
- • United Kingdom Ministry of Defence basing and logistics units at Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford and Diego Garcia must establish hosting, refuelling and flight-clearance procedures for United States strike aircraft — failure to complete those arrangements will prevent authorised operations from launching from those bases.
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