UK Was Not Asked to Use Diego Garcia in US Strikes on Iran
Britain was notified in advance of the recent US military strikes targeting Iran, yet was not approached to utilize the strategically important Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean, a senior UK minister confirmed on Sunday.
Details of the Notification and UK’s Role
Jonathan Reynolds, the UK Business and Trade Minister, revealed that while the UK was informed ahead of the American air raids, no formal request was made to deploy UK-U.S. shared military assets such as Diego Garcia or RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus for this operation.
He emphasized that Britain did not actively take part in the strikes but had previously positioned military resources in the region to respond to escalating tensions.
"I can't specify exactly when we were notified, but we were, as one might expect," Reynolds told a news outlet, reiterating Britain's readiness to act decisively in defense of its key allies should the situation demand.
Backdrop: US Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
The US action, announced by the President, involved overnight airstrikes that reportedly "obliterated" Iran's main nuclear enrichment facilities. This escalation follows an already heightened period of conflict in the Middle East, with Tehran pledging to retaliate by all means necessary.
Images from satellite technology captured the extent of the damage to Iran's Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant northeast of Qom.
Regional Impact and British Citizens’ Safety Measures
Amid the growing crisis, the UK government is actively arranging charter flights to evacuate its nationals from Israel and the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories, pending the reopening of Israeli airspace. British citizens and their dependents have been urged to register with the Foreign Office to facilitate these efforts.
Reynolds indicated that these evacuation flights could commence within "hours, not days".
Diplomatic Repercussions and Regional Responses
Iran’s Foreign Minister condemned the US strikes as a "sabotage of diplomacy," occurring just as Iran engaged in talks with European nations. Tehran accused the US and Israel of crossing red lines and vowed to defend itself vigorously.
Conversely, the Israeli Prime Minister praised the US intervention, declaring it a historic move that would change the trajectory of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Iran retaliated by targeting multiple Israeli locations, including Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, indicating the conflict’s potential to escalate further.
Strategic Significance of Diego Garcia
Diego Garcia, situated in the Chagos Archipelago, is a crucial UK-U.S. military base known for its strategic role in operations across the Middle East and Indian Ocean regions. That the US did not request access to this facility for these strikes stands out given its usual utility in regional military operations.
Conclusion
While the UK remains on alert and closely engaged diplomatically, it remains clear that the recent US operations against Iran proceeded without direct British participation or logistical support from Diego Garcia. The situation continues to evolve rapidly, underscoring the volatility of the region and the delicate balance of international alliances.
