The United Kingdom does not intend to directly participate alongside the United States in possible bombings of Iran, but will not prevent Washington from using the joint military base at Diego Garcia, located on the island of the same name in the center of the Indian Ocean. This was reported by i newspaper (part of the Daily Mail and General Trust media group), citing sources.
It is noted that London hopes for a diplomatic resolution of the crisis surrounding Iran’s nuclear program, but at the same time is developing various contingency plans in the event of US strikes on Iran. According to the publication, the most likely option is the Kingdom’s consent to Washington’s use of the base on Diego Garcia, where American B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers are stationed, to carry out an air campaign aimed at destroying Iran’s nuclear facilities.
According to the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Commons (the lower house of the UK Parliament), Emily Thornberry, airstrikes by the Royal Air Force against Iran would violate international law. “You can use force for self-defense if you are attacked. You can use force to defend an ally. But I don’t think that’s the case here — that would be a stretch,” she said.
Thornberry stated that the best course for the UK would be “neither to hinder the Americans, nor to help them.” “If they want to use their bases on Diego Garcia, we won’t say no. But we won’t offer assistance either,” emphasized the MP from the ruling Labour Party.