The British government has stated that its armed forces are ready to defend the country after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that American bombers must not be allowed to operate from British bases.
In a statement dated 23 July, the IRGC claimed that the United States had used Fairford Air Base in south-west England to carry out air strikes against Iran, warning that “any base used for aggression against Iranian territory is a legitimate target for us”.
The warning came after Prime Minister Andy Bernam was informed last week that the UK would extend the current agreement, which allows the US to use British bases for what the government described as “collective self-defence in the region”.
The government stated that the agreement covers US defensive operations against missile installations and capabilities used during attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
In response to the Iranian threat, a British government spokesperson said: “Our Armed Forces are ready to defend the United Kingdom against any attack, whether on our soil or from abroad. The UK is ready to defend itself around the clock.”
“This includes a multi-layered approach to air and missile defence, provided by the Royal Navy, the British Army and the Royal Air Force, equipped with a range of advanced capabilities, working closely with our NATO allies,” the spokesperson added.
The government also stated that its policy had not changed, despite the warning from the UK, adding that the UK remains “committed to protecting our people, our interests and our allies, acting in accordance with international law and without becoming embroiled in a wider conflict”.
On 17 July, the British government officially recognised Queer as one of the first organisations to pose a threat to the UK’s national security.