“Vast majority of the British People do not want any part in the Israel-U.S. war of choice on Iran,” he posted on X. “Ignoring his own People, Mr. Starmer is putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran. Iran will exercise its right to self-defense.”

The main bases the U.S. would use are thousands of miles from Iran in the U.K. proper and Diego Garcia, considerably out of range of Tehran’s most advanced missiles. Iran could choose to open up strikes against all U.K. bases in the region in retaliation, with London having bases in Cyprus, Bahrain, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.

Hours before London cleared the U.S. usage of its bases for some strikes, Araghchi held a call with U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, warning of the consequences if such a move were taken.

The U.K. has shifted its stance on Iran since the war began on Feb. 28 from a lukewarm backer of the U.S. to a more assertive one. London declined to give the U.S. access to its bases ahead of Operation Epic Fury, though on the second day, it cleared the U.S. to use Royal Air Force bases in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia for purely “defensive” strikes.

London’s foot-dragging angered President Donald Trump, who repeatedly insulted U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

“This is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with,” he said on March 3, referring to the World War II-era prime minister.

Trump also called other NATO allies “cowards” for not helping in opening up the Strait of Hormuz. Starmer’s further loosening of U.S. restrictions on the use of its bases was framed as consistent with its stance all along.

“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,” the U.K. government said in a statement.

The RAF has helped repel Iranian drone and missile assaults on Jordan, Qatar, and the UAE. The U.K. Ministry of Defense announced on Friday that it had more jets flying in the Middle East than at any point in the past 15 years, with its pilots exceeding 700 flight hours. The RAF has not been used for any offensive actions as of yet.

The U.K. also said it had sent a “small number of additional planners” to U.S. Central Command to plan ways to “improve security” in the Strait of Hormuz.

The opening of its bases for use against assets targeting the Strait of Hormuz is vague, and could hypothetically open up their use for hits against most Iranian missile and drone infrastructure.

UK, FRANCE, JAPAN, GERMANY, AND OTHERS VOICE READINESS TO CONTRIBUTE TO SECURE STRAIT OF HORMUZ

London’s move is the first concrete step it has taken to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz after voicing its willingness to do so in a joint statement with France, Germany, Japan, Italy, and the Netherlands on Thursday.

“We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait. We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning,” the statement said.