Britain rejects US request to use UK bases in nuclear standoff with Iran | World news | The Guardian
Britain has rebuffed US pleas to use military
bases in the UK to support the build-up of forces in the Gulf, citing
secret legal advice which states that any pre-emptive strike on Iran could be in breach of international law.
The Guardian has been told that US diplomats have also lobbied for the use of British bases in Cyprus, and for permission to fly from US bases on Ascension Island in the Atlantic and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, both of which are British territories.
The US approaches are part of contingency planning over the nuclear standoff with Tehran, but British ministers have so far reacted coolly. They have pointed US officials to legal advice drafted by the attorney general's office which has been circulated to Downing Street, the Foreign Office and the Ministry of Defence.
The Guardian has been told that US diplomats have also lobbied for the use of British bases in Cyprus, and for permission to fly from US bases on Ascension Island in the Atlantic and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, both of which are British territories.
The US approaches are part of contingency planning over the nuclear standoff with Tehran, but British ministers have so far reacted coolly. They have pointed US officials to legal advice drafted by the attorney general's office which has been circulated to Downing Street, the Foreign Office and the Ministry of Defence.
This is an important find Bill. I have been checking the news periodically for anything associated with Diego Garcia to monitor a build up of naval activity. It has been my contention that the US will build up forces their before any Iranian assault. Looks like the ME just got a little safer!
ReplyDeleteIndeed PW, the drum beats are getting louder.
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