Britain Opposes Potential U.S. Military Action Against Iran — But Why?
The British government has rejected a U.S. proposal to use the American air base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean for possible military action against Iran. Yvette Cooper, the UK Foreign Secretary, also clarified this position ahead of her meeting with Marco Rubio, stating that Washington should pursue negotiations with Iran rather than resort to bombing.
Britain’s opposition to the use of Diego Garcia is reportedly linked to its prior plans to return sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to the Mauritius. Keir Starmer, the British Prime Minister, pledged in May 2025 to hand over the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius in accordance with a ruling by The Hague court. However, Donald Trump has opposed the move, citing the strategic importance of the Diego Garcia air base and its 100-year lease arrangement.
Consequently, launching attacks on Iran from Diego Garcia would effectively signal British support for military action and could carry significant repercussions. Such consequences could jeopardize British interests in West Asia, particularly maritime shipping routes in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, the Arabian Sea, and the Red Sea. For this reason, London is currently opposed to any potential move by Trump to strike Iran.
It is worth noting that Diego Garcia lies approximately 3,800 kilometers from Iran and about 3,400 kilometers from Yemen. The island has served as a primary base for U.S. strategic bombers during previous operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Yemen, and it could play a central role in any potential confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
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