Iran accuses UK of aiding US strikes, says its bases will become legitimate targets

Iran has warned Britain it could be dragged directly into the conflict if it continues supporting US military operations, declaring that any UK base used to launch attacks on Iranian territory would become a "legitimate target".

The new threat was issued on Thursday by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which claimed that British facilities were being used to support US military operations after American naval forces exhausted their stockpile of cruise missiles.

In a statement, the IRGC alleged that the US had begun deploying B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in England after naval forces operating in the Indian Ocean depleted their cruise missile stockpiles. It argued that Britain's support had made it an active participant in the conflict and warned London against expanding its involvement.

"Any base used for aggression against Iranian territory is a legitimate target for us," the IRGC said. The statement also described Britain as "a principal architect of instability" in the Middle East and urged it "not to further worsen its record".

IRAN CALLS UK ACTIONS 'ACT OF AGGRESSION'

Iran's Foreign Ministry reinforced the military's message, condemning Britain's reported decision to allow US forces access to military bases and logistical support for operations against Iran.

According to Tehran, such assistance violates the UN Charter and international law. The ministry argued that allowing one country's territory to be used to launch attacks on another constitutes "an act of aggression" under Article 3(f) of UN General Assembly Resolution 3314.

Iran further accused Britain of siding with the US and Israel instead of upholding its responsibilities as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, saying the move contradicted London's stated commitment to international law and global security.

"Iran is determined to defend its national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national interests against foreign aggression, and any party that participates in military aggression against Iran in any way will bear responsibility for the consequences of its decision," the ministry said.

ALLEGED UK SUPPORT DRAWS IRAN'S IRE

The latest accusations came after Bloomberg reported that British Prime Minister Andy Burnham had authorised the US to use certain British facilities for operations linked to Iran.

According to the report, the arrangement includes access to RAF Fairford in England and the Diego Garcia military base in the Indian Ocean, giving US forces additional operational support as military pressure on Tehran intensifies.

Iran has also cited Britain's long history of interference in its affairs, including the 1953 coup, support for Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War, sanctions over its nuclear programme, and recent efforts targeting the IRGC.

TENSIONS CONTINUE TO MOUNT

The latest warning comes as tensions between Iran, the US and Israel continue to spiral despite repeated efforts to prevent the conflict from widening.

Fighting intensified after the US and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran in February, prompting Tehran to retaliate with missile and drone strikes on Israeli territory and US military assets across the Gulf. A Pakistan-mediated framework agreement later raised hopes of easing hostilities, but those hopes quickly faded as fresh exchanges of fire and military threats pushed the region back to the brink.

On Wednesday, the US military said it had completed another round of strikes on Iran on the orders of President Donald Trump, marking the 12th consecutive night of American attacks. In response, Iran's joint military command warned that if the campaign continued, its forces would target oil, gas, electricity and other key economic infrastructure across the region, according to state media.

- Ends

With inputs from agencies