The BBC, The Guardian and The Telegraph also subsequently published their own reports on the UK blocking access to the bases, citing sources. American requests to use UK bases for operational purposes historically have been considered on a case-by-case basis, with precise criteria withheld for security reasons under long-standing agreements. In his social media post, Trump directly referenced the two UK airbases, cited by British media, as important in a possible strike on Iran. Neither Diego Garcia nor Fairford, the key forward operating base for US strategic bombers in Europe, was used in last June's one-time B-2 bomber strike on Iranian nuclear sites. But analysts are expecting that any new US attack on Iran might be a much longer campaign, possibly of weeks or more.

Source: The Times February 21, 2026 04:04 UTC