Britain: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing intense scrutiny after granting the United States permission to use UK military bases for potential strikes linked to the escalating confrontation with Iran. The move, described by critics as a political reversal, comes as tensions across the Gulf region surge.
Within hours of Starmer’s announcement, a drone reportedly struck the British military base at Akrotiri in Cyprus. The Ministry of Defence said the damage was minimal and that the aircraft was likely launched before the Prime Minister’s statement. Families of service personnel were evacuated as a precaution.
Starmer’s Rationale
Addressing Parliament, Starmer defended the decision, stating: “The only way to stop the threat is to destroy the missiles at source — in their storage depots or the launchers which are used to fire the missiles. The US has requested permission to use British bases for that specific and limited defensive purpose.”
He added that the measure aims to protect civilians, prevent Iranian missile attacks in the region, and safeguard British lives. Starmer stressed that the action aligns with international law, and a summary of the legal advice will be published.
Facilities cleared for US use include Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. Defence Secretary John Healey emphasised that the UK was not involved in the original US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Gulf Implications
The political reverberations in London are mirrored by security concerns across the Gulf. In the UAE, missiles and drones have been intercepted over major urban areas, including Dubai. Emirati authorities reported high interception success, with more than 700 Iranian projectiles engaged in the past 24 hours.
The Gulf is home to a substantial Indian diaspora: over three million in the UAE and more than eight million across Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain. Remittances from the region contribute over $100 billion annually to India, underlining the economic stakes.
India’s energy security is equally exposed. Around 85% of India’s crude oil imports come from the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the UAE, and Kuwait as major suppliers. Approximately 20% of global oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint whose disruption could spike domestic fuel prices and strain India’s current account.
Regional Stability in Question
Despite reassurances from Emirati officials, including political scientist Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, that advanced defense systems are intercepting incoming projectiles, visible smoke, flight disruptions, and missile alerts have heightened anxiety among expatriate communities.
For India, the crisis underscores dual priorities: safeguarding nationals in the Gulf and maintaining stable energy supplies. Contingency planning now includes evacuation logistics, maritime security measures, and monitoring of oil transit routes.
Starmer maintains that UK base access is narrowly defined and legally sound, but the broader consequences remain uncertain. Analysts caution that the UK’s role, while defensive in intent, may entangle London further in a volatile Middle Eastern conflict with global economic and security implications.
