Jeremy Corbyn accuses UK government of 'direct involvement' in Iran strikes

Former leader of the Labour Party and Independent MP Jeremy Corbyn challenged British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper’s claim that UK bases are only being used for “defensive strikes” against Iranian missiles. 

This comes after reports on Friday that US military personnel and ground crew were spotted loading and preparing weapons for operation at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, including three B-52 bombers - which can carry up to 24 cruise missiles - and four B-1 bombers.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer agreed to grant permission for the US to use UK bases for the “specific and limited defensive purpose” of destroying Iran’s missiles “at source”.

Corbyn said yesterday in parliament that “the reality is, if a bomber takes off from RAF Fairford and bombs civilian targets in Iran, we are involved in that act of aggression against the people of Iran”.

He called for the UK government to join Spain in “saying ‘no’ to the USA”.