MoD warn Iran ‘lashing out’ in ‘reckless assaults’ after Brit lives ‘in danger’ risk
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has warned over “Iran’s reckless attacks” after missiles were fired towards a joint US-UK base in the Indian Ocean.
The base being targeted comes just hours after Iran had threatened that British lives are “in danger” after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer backed the US to carry out further strikes by allowing them to use UK bases.
Two intermediate-range ballistic missiles were fired at Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands on Friday (March 20) but neither hit, the Wall Street Journal reported.
On Saturday morning (March 21), an MoD spokesperson warned that Iran was “lashing out across the region” and confirmed “RAF jets and other UK military assets are continuing to defend our people”.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The spokesperson said: “Iran’s reckless attacks, lashing out across the region and holding hostage the Strait of Hormuz, are a threat to British interests and British allies.
“RAF jets and other UK military assets are continuing to defend our people and personnel in the region.
“This Government has given permission to the US to use British bases for specific and limited defensive operations.”
Ministers gave the US permission to strike Iranian missile sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz from UK bases including Diego Garcia on Friday afternoon.
Iran reacted angrily, with foreign minister Abbas Araghchi claiming it will “exercise its right to self-defence”.
(Image: Chris J Ratcliffe/POOL/EPA/Shutterstock)
Posting on X, he said: “Vast majority of the British People do not want any part in the Israel-US war of choice on Iran.
“Ignoring his own People, Mr Starmer is putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran. Iran will exercise its right to self-defence.”
US President Donald Trump said the UK “should have acted a lot faster” in giving the US permission.
He has already piled pressure on Nato allies, calling them “cowards” for refusing to offer warships to reopen the Strait.
The Government had previously granted the US permission only for “defensive” action. When that decision was made, RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus was hit by an Iranian drone.
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