Britain has given the US permission to use RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia to carry out raids on Iranian missile sites attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Operating under the same legal basis of self-defence, but now striking new targets, the initiative is described as "US defensive operations", rather than an offensive move. It comes amid the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran, where Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer previously granted Donald Trump permission to operate defensive strikes from British bases in the region. A Downing Street spokesman said: “Ministers condemned Iran’s expansion of its targets to include international shipping. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say "They agreed that Iran’s reckless strikes, including on Red Ensign vessels and those of our close allies and Gulf partners, risked pushing the region further into crisis and worsening the economic impact being felt in the UK and around the world. "They confirmed that the agreement for the US to use UK bases in the collective self-defence of the region includes US defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz. "They reaffirmed that the principles behind the UK’s approach to the conflict remain the same: the UK remains committed to defending our people, our interests and our allies, acting in accordance with international law and not getting drawn into the wider conflict. “Ministers underlined the need for urgent de-escalation and a swift resolution to the war". MORE TO FOLLOW... LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter