New UK Prime Minister Approves Military Bases for U.S. Airstrikes on Iran

[Financial News] New Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Andy Burnham has approved the use of some British military bases for U.S. airstrikes on Iran. The move continues the policy of his predecessor, Keir Starmer, and comes as U.S. President Donald Trump expands the war.
According to U.S. media reports on the 21st local time, people familiar with the matter said that "Starmer held a meeting with ministers and senior officials on the 17th to discuss Britain's response after the United States resumed operations earlier this month." At the meeting, they decided to maintain the existing policy allowing U.S. aircraft to use Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England.
After taking office as prime minister on the 20th, Burnham was briefed on the decision and agreed to it, increasing the likelihood that British bases will be used in the latest U.S. operation. CENTCOM said it has struck Iranian command centers, launch facilities, and air defense systems in airstrikes that have continued for 10 days.
Starmer and Burnham, who inherited the decision, are facing growing political pressure after making the move in a difficult political climate. Starmer was under pressure from the left to block the use of the bases, while Trump was urging Britain to expand its role. Burnham is also expected to face criticism from the left-wing Green Party and the Liberal Democrats. Both parties argue that providing the bases would make Britain complicit in war crimes.
The decision also helped shape Trump's relatively positive reaction to Burnham's inauguration. Burnham spoke with Trump by phone shortly after taking office. According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, "The prime minister emphasized Britain's commitment to ensuring the safety of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz." Trump wrote on Truth Social that they had "a very good conversation about a range of topics, including North Sea oil, trade, military alliances, and mine clearance in the Strait of Hormuz."
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