UK refuses to approve US use of its bases to strike Iran — Bloomberg reports

LootboxPhobia · 2026-02-20T03:03:47+00:00

The UK government refused the United States' attack on Iran at Diego Garcia, a base in the Chagos Archipelago, citing international law and other factors. This decision is related to the context of Trump's increased military presence in the Middle East and pressure on Iran nuclear negotiations. When communicating with the UK Prime Minister, he did not mention the use of the base, and Trump subsequently opposed the UK's proposal to transfer control of the Chagos Islands.

LootboxPhobia

2026-02-20 03:03:47

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Investing.com—According to Bloomberg, citing sources, the UK government has refused to approve the United States’ use of the Diego Garcia military base in the Chagos Islands for any potential strikes against Iran.

This move comes as U.S. President Donald Trump is accumulating military assets in the Middle East and increasing pressure in negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear program. On Wednesday, Trump stated that the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean and an airport in England could play a key role in any hypothetical U.S. attack on Iran.

Sources told Bloomberg on Thursday that the UK has not approved the use of these bases for such strikes due to concerns over international law and other factors. During the U.S. strike on Iran in June, Diego Garcia was not used.

Trump and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak held a phone call on Tuesday to discuss negotiations with Iran in Geneva. A summary of their conversation did not indicate whether Trump requested the use of UK bases.

In related developments, Trump claimed on Wednesday that the proposed transfer of control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius was a “major mistake.” This statement contradicts his position from two weeks prior, when he called the agreement the “best” arrangement Sunak could reach, just one day after the U.S. State Department supported the deal.

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