Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Mr. Sparkle

(3,681 posts)
Thu Feb 19, 2026, 10:25 AM Thursday

UK blocking Trump from using RAF bases for strikes on Iran

Source: The Times

President Trump has withdrawn his support for Sir Keir Starmer’s deal to hand the Chagos Islands over to Mauritius because the UK has not agreed to allow the use of British bases to attack Iran, The Times understands.

The White House is drawing up detailed military plans for a strike against Iran involving the use of both Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, which is home to America’s fleet of heavy bombers in Europe. Under the terms of long-standing agreements with Washington, these bases can only be used for military operations that have been agreed in advance with the government.

The Times understands that the UK is yet to give permission for the US to use the bases in the event that Trump orders a strike on Iran, owing to concerns that it would be a breach of international law which makes no distinction between a state carrying out the attack and those in support if the latter have “knowledge of the circumstances of the internationally wrongful act”.

The president spoke to the prime minister on Tuesday night, and the two men discussed Trump’s ultimatum to Iran over its nuclear programme. The following day, Trump made his statement attacking the Chagos deal.


Read more: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/trump-chagos-islands-deal-iran-attack-british-bases-kcj0gzbr8

20 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
UK blocking Trump from using RAF bases for strikes on Iran (Original Post) Mr. Sparkle Thursday OP
Good! Chasstev365 Thursday #1
When does Mr Bored of Peace throw a tantrum? C_U_L8R Thursday #2
Ah, that explains why his bullshit on Truth Social mentioned RAF Fairford, despite that being a long way muriel_volestrangler Thursday #3
Trump needs to be impeached, but I guess they're gonna wait until the Market crashes..and it's coming Joinfortmill Thursday #4
The markets aren't going to crash. Mosby Thursday #5
I hope you're right. As for me I've tried to protect my investments as much as I can. Joinfortmill Thursday #18
Perhaps, but...... SergeStorms Thursday #20
Could be. Market will crash, why give TSF a gift by impeaching right before it crashes? nt Exp Thursday #10
Good for Starmer. Well... ananda Thursday #6
Good to hear. electric_blue68 Thursday #7
Can't wait for the angry tweet and 10,000% tariffs. Initech Thursday #8
What's keeping tRump from ignoring those agreements/treaties? groundloop Thursday #9
And it ends up in deadly fiascos (ex: COVID-19's hundreds of thousands preventable deaths) Justice matters. Thursday #11
Hopefully Greece does the same thing Renew Deal Thursday #12
What date will the UK remember? BidenRocks Thursday #13
Welp- Time to bomb the UK. NBachers Thursday #14
"Time to bomb the UK" markodochartaigh Thursday #16
I'm not really familiar with the logistics of refueling these bombers. Is it possible that they will refuel on markodochartaigh Thursday #15
Stand firm, UK! Bayard Thursday #17
We have no allies. SergeStorms Thursday #19

muriel_volestrangler

(105,917 posts)
3. Ah, that explains why his bullshit on Truth Social mentioned RAF Fairford, despite that being a long way
Thu Feb 19, 2026, 10:38 AM
Thursday

from the Indian Ocean and the Chagos Islands.

"...Should Iran decide not to make a Deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the Airfield located in Fairford ..."

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/19/chagos-island-deal-timeline-trump-starmer-uk

(that link, by the way, documents Trump's flip-flops on Diego Garcia - he's been for the transfer, then against, then for (as recently as Tuesday morning), and now against again.)

Joinfortmill

(20,674 posts)
4. Trump needs to be impeached, but I guess they're gonna wait until the Market crashes..and it's coming
Thu Feb 19, 2026, 11:32 AM
Thursday

Joinfortmill

(20,674 posts)
18. I hope you're right. As for me I've tried to protect my investments as much as I can.
Thu Feb 19, 2026, 01:35 PM
Thursday

SergeStorms

(20,283 posts)
20. Perhaps, but......
Thu Feb 19, 2026, 01:41 PM
Thursday

you must agree, they're due for one helluva correction. Record profits cannot continue ad infinitum.

Exp

(861 posts)
10. Could be. Market will crash, why give TSF a gift by impeaching right before it crashes? nt
Thu Feb 19, 2026, 12:28 PM
Thursday

groundloop

(13,683 posts)
9. What's keeping tRump from ignoring those agreements/treaties?
Thu Feb 19, 2026, 12:25 PM
Thursday

If there's one thing we know about how tRump does things it's that he never lets a contract/agreement/treaty/law get in the way of what he wants.

Justice matters.

(9,600 posts)
11. And it ends up in deadly fiascos (ex: COVID-19's hundreds of thousands preventable deaths)
Thu Feb 19, 2026, 12:45 PM
Thursday

Also, for example, the currently covered-up murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

Renew Deal

(84,832 posts)
12. Hopefully Greece does the same thing
Thu Feb 19, 2026, 12:59 PM
Thursday

I saw some map that had Crete shown as one of the bases that will be used. From what I remember, it was the only EU country.

markodochartaigh

(5,303 posts)
15. I'm not really familiar with the logistics of refueling these bombers. Is it possible that they will refuel on
Thu Feb 19, 2026, 01:17 PM
Thursday

Epstein Island?

Bayard

(29,137 posts)
17. Stand firm, UK!
Thu Feb 19, 2026, 01:31 PM
Thursday

They want no part of trump carnage.

"concerns that it would be a breach of international law which makes no distinction between a state carrying out the attack and those in support if the latter have “knowledge of the circumstances of the internationally wrongful act”."

SergeStorms

(20,283 posts)
19. We have no allies.
Thu Feb 19, 2026, 01:35 PM
Thursday

Not that I'm in favor of attacking Iran, but we're on our own if we do (except for Israel, who'd be overjoyed).

We could always count on the free nations of the world as allies. It's always been that way, at least in my lifetime. No more, though.
tRump and the MAGAts "America First" bullshit are going to insure that the U.S. slides into the abyss.

Thanks, tRump and your brain dead cult. 🖕

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»UK blocking Trump from us...