Will the UK Join the Iran War?

TL;DR

Starmer is providing limited defensive support but refusing to join offensive operations, citing international law and his own weak political position.

Key Points

• 1.The US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Khamenei; Iran retaliated with ballistic missiles targeting UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan.
• 2.Starmer initially blocked US use of British bases for offensive strikes, citing UN Charter Article 2(4) and the lack of a Security Council resolution or valid self-defense claim.
• 3.He reversed course Sunday, allowing British bases to be used only for defensive purposes — intercepting Iranian missiles fired at uninvolved Gulf states — which he argues is legal under Article 51 self-defense.
• 4.Trump publicly expressed frustration, saying Starmer took "far too long" to agree; Starmer responded in Parliament by explicitly stating the UK "does not believe in regime change from the skies."
• 5.Analysts compare Starmer's strategy to Harold Wilson's during Vietnam — avoiding direct involvement while maintaining US relations — rather than Blair's Iraq-style full commitment, which Starmer lacks the political capital to attempt.